Fitness-Related Benefits

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare fitness-related benefits between land-based (LAND) versus aqua-based (AQUA) courses. METHODS: Informed consent was received from 154 volunteers (N = 76 LAND; N = 78 AQUA) who were asked to exercise within each respective course 2 days per week, 50-min per day, for 15 weeks. Pre- and post-fitness assessments obtained were body composition, muscular endurance, muscular strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility. RESULTS: Mixed ANOVA was used to investigate mean differences between pre- and post-fitness assessments and between groups. There was a main effect (p = 0.003) and interaction (p = <0.001) for body composition in which, overall, participants decreased percent body fat, however, paired t-test revealed that LAND (20.4% ± 7.3% to 19.0% ± 7.4%) had a significant reduction in mean percent body fat while AQUA did not (20.1% ± 8.7% to 20.2% ± 8.9%). A main effect for both muscular strength (p = <0.001) and muscular endurance (p = <0.04) was revealed, but no interactions, therefore, both groups improved on aforementioned variables. Lastly, no significant main effect or interaction for neither cardiorespiratory endurance nor flexibility assessments were revealed. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals participating in land-based courses displayed greater decreases in percent body fat when compared to aqua-based courses, whereas both land- and aqua-based displayed improvements in muscular strength and muscular endurance. There were no changes in cardiorespiratory endurance and flexibility within both groups.