Effects of Water Immersion in Different Water Depths on Respiratory Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength among Elderly People: An Observational Study

Yoshihiro Yamashina,Kazuyuki Tabira,Hiroki Aoyama,Tomoko Hirayama,Nami Sakagami,Hirofumi Hori,Shigeru Terada,Masahiro Goto,Emiko Morita,Wataru Nanikawa

doi:10.4236/aar.2021.104004

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the effect of three water levels (umbilical, 4th rib, and clavicular) on the respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength among elderly. Spirometry and respiratory strength were measured on land as baseline data. Next, water depth conditions were determined randomly, and spirometry and respiratory muscle strength were measured at each water level. The Vital Capacity and Expiratory reserve volume in the clavicular level were significantly lower than those in the land and umbilical trials. No significant difference was observed in other respiratory functions. Chest circumference and respiratory muscle strength were not significantly different among all conditions.

Highlights

Aquatic exercise has recently been introduced as a part of health enhancement plans in rehabilitation and sports clubs [1] [2]
No significant difference was observed in other respiratory functions
We suggested that forced respiration during upright water immersion up to the clavicular level (CL) resulted in greater inspiratory muscle fatigue than at shallower depths in healthy young men [12]

Summary

Introduction

Aquatic exercise has recently been introduced as a part of health enhancement plans in rehabilitation and sports clubs [1] [2]. Water viscosity and pressure can be used as exercise loads to enhance extremity muscle strength [5] [6]. Regarding the effects of water depth on respiratory function, the pulmonary vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume during the first second (FEV1.0), and functional residual capacity (FRC) decrease during water immersion at the clavicular or cervical level [9] [10]. De Andrade et al reported that decreased maximum inspiratory muscle strength during water immersion was greater when the water level was at the clavicle than at the xiphoid process due to the higher water pressure at the clavicular level (CL) [11]. We suggested that forced respiration during upright water immersion up to the CL resulted in greater inspiratory muscle fatigue than at shallower depths in healthy young men [12]

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Conclusion