Enhanced gait following NW-RSA training links to reduced myostatin and improved L-arginine metabolites in older women with preserved vitamin D

Thirty women (age = 68.9 ± 6.04 years), with preserved vitamin D status and sedentary lifestyle, participated in the study, the aim of which was to evaluate the effects of Nordic walking training with additional loading (NW-RSA), on gait quality, muscle mass, and physical fitness in relation to changes in selected exerkines and nitric oxide metabolites. The training was conducted three times a week, for 12 weeks. All indicators were assessed before and after the intervention. Blood samples were collected at baseline, post-12 weeks, and 1 hour after the first and the last NW-RSA training session. NW-RSA induced significant enhancements in gait control, manifesting as increased walking cadence (3%), speed (6%), and step length (3%), and reduced step time (6%) (p