SUBMAXIMAL EXERCISE ON LAND AND IN WATER WITH AND WITHOUT HAND-HELD WEIGHTS: COMPARATIVE EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

Abstract

651 The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolic and physiologic responses of submaximal exercise on land and in water with and without .90 kg (2.0 pounds) hand-held weights. Eight women (X age = 19.8 ± 1.6 yrs) completed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) and four submaximal exercise tests: 1) on land with hand-held weights; 2) on land without hand-held weights; 3) in neck-depth water with hand-held weights and 4) in neck-depth water without hand-held weights. Analyses of heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), blood lactate (BLa−) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were conducted in all tests. A 2 X 2 (Environment X Weights) analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significantly lower HR and VO2 responses during water exercise, and the addition of the hand-held weights in the water significantly increased the HR at 21 minutes of exercise. The addition of the weights in the water did not increase the resistance or "drag" in the water, as indicated by the non significant changes in the water with weights versus water without weights conditions. Responses for VE and BLa− produced significantly higher responses on land with weights. The lowest values for RPE were generated during water exercise. These data indicate that water exercise is a suitable mode of activity for those who are elderly, overweight or suffer from orthopedic injury while reducing the effort perception of the exercise. Supported by a Research and Disciplinary Grant of Bloomsburg University