EFFECT OF AEROBIC ENDURANCE TRAINING NORDIC WALKING ON PSYCHOPHYSICAL WELL-BEING OF WOMEN AND MEN OF DIFFERENT AGES

Abstract

Nordic walking is one of the forms of physical activity used in recreation as well as in medical treatment, prevention and rehabilitation. The aim of the research was to determine the impact of aerobic endurance training using a continuous (uninterrupted) method in a 12-week training cycle divided into three mesocycles on psychophysical well-being of men and women. Psychophysical well-being and the quality of life were investigated. The SF-36v2 (Short Form Health Survey) questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life, while the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) and other research tools were used to assess psychophysical well-being. The research was exploratory in nature and explained the impact of Nordic walking aerobic endurance training on psychophysical well-being. A theoretical and purposeful selection of the study sample was applied in the research. The study involved a group of 136 persons of different ages, of whom 71.3% (97 persons) were women and 28.7% were men (39 persons). Data analysis was conducted with a use of Dell Statistica (data analysis software system) version 13. The analysis of correlations of qualitative features was performed using the χ² (Chi-square) test. The training cycle had a positive effect on psychophysical well-being. High values of the dimensions of internal control of one’s health significantly affect psychophysical well-being. The greater the internal control of one’s health, the greater the sense of psychophysical well-being. After the analysis, a significant relationship was found between the respondents’ age and the subscales of the quality of life (physical health, physical functioning, physical activity and pain) according to R. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient at the level of p<0.05. The higher the indicators of physical health during physical activity, the greater the sense of psychophysical well-being. A diagnosis of psychophysical well-being after completing aerobic Nordic walking endurance training in a 12-week cycle showed a significant impact on psychophysical well-being of men and women of various ages.