The effect of Nordic Walking on joint status, quality of life, physical ability, exercise capacity and pain in adult persons with haemophilia

Nordic Walking is an exercise form requiring significant energy consumption, but where the use of poles minimizes the risk of injury. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effect of 3 months of Nordic Walking on males (>40 years of age) with haemophilia, regarding joint function (Haemophilia Joint Health Score), physical ability (Haemophilia Exercise Project - Test-Questionnaire), exercise capacity (6-min walking test), pain (visual analogue scale) and quality of life (the Swedish version of The Short Form Health Survey, SF-36). Pre-interventional and post-interventional scores of above-mentioned parameters were analysed, using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. Eleven participants were recruited to the study. Statistically significant improvements were observed in physical ability (P value: 0.01) and body perception (P value: 0.02). The intervention did not increase number of bleedings or factor consumption. This is the first study ever evaluating Nordic Walking in persons with haemophilia. Our results suggest that Nordic Walking is safe and efficient, also in patients with haemophilic arthropathy.