# Nordic Walking Rather Than High Intensity Interval Training Reduced Myostatin Concentration More Effectively in Elderly Subjects and the Range of This Drop Was Modified by Metabolites of Vitamin D

PMID: 34959945
Journal: Nutrients
Published: 2021
Authors: Micielska K, Flis M, Kortas JA, Rodziewicz-Flis E, Antosiewicz J, Wochna K, Lombardi G, Ziemann E

## Question

Do Nordic walking and cycling HIIT alter myostatin, decorin, osteocalcin, vitamin D metabolites, and metabolic markers in older adults?

## Summary

In older overweight adults, a longer Nordic walking program reduced myostatin more than a short cycling HIIT program; the HIIT arm did not significantly change the measured exerkines or metabolic markers.

## Population

- Healthy middle-aged to elderly overweight adults.
- Sample size: 32
- Age: 61 +/- 12 years
- Sex: 9 men, 23 women
- Health status: Healthy after medical screening; overweight with metabolic risk indicators

## Methodology

- Two-group exercise intervention; randomization unclear
- 2 weeks for HIIT and 12 weeks for Nordic walking
- Supervised cycling HIIT and supervised Nordic walking
- Controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Older-adult cycling HIIT.
- Modality: Cycle ergometer.
- Work intervals: 1 min.
- Recovery: 1 min free cycling.
- Sets or repetitions: 10.
- Intensity: About 90% HRmax; individualized 1.5-2.5 W/kg.
- Session duration: 25 min.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 2 weeks.
- Progression: None reported.
- Nordic walking.
- Modality: Nordic walking.
- Work intervals: Continuous 45-55 min walking.
- Sets or repetitions: One continuous walking bout.
- Intensity: 60-70% HRmax.
- Session duration: 65-75 min including warm-up/cool-down.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Myostatin
Status: mixed
Nordic walking reduced myostatin; HIIT did not.

Nordic walking p=0.05.

### HIIT biomarkers
Status: no clear change
HIIT did not significantly change measured exerkines or metabolic markers.

## Practical Insights

- For older adults, lower-intensity higher-volume exercise may outperform short HIIT for some biomarker goals.
- Comparisons need duration and dose context.

## Limitations

- Intervention durations not matched
- Randomization unclear
- Small sample
- Diet not fully controlled
- Only one post-intervention blood timepoint

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events were reported.
- Medical screening excluded bone disease, diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, cardiorespiratory disorders, and orthopedic issues.
- HIIT was supervised with heart-rate/cadence biofeedback; analysis required 100% HIIT attendance.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34959945/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13224396) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8705296/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.