Abstract
1093 Our purpose was to determine the effect of water exercise (WEX, water level of near xiphoid, 30 C°) on the physical fitness of older adults (68± 4 yrs). Fifty-three volunteers were divided into a training group(TR, 10 males, 16 females) or non-exercised control (7 males, 17 females). TR participated in a 12 week supervised WEX program, 70 min/day, 3 days/wk; consisting of 10 min warm-up and stretching, 10 min resistance exercise, 30 min endurance-type exercise (walking and dancing) and 10 min cool down/relaxation exercise. WEX led to an increased oxygen uptake at the lactate threshold (27%) and at peak (20%). Muscular power and peak torque were evaluated by using a hydraulic resistance machine and leg press machine and were measured at 4 different loads (from fast to slow) at which the limb moves against the hydraulic resistance during a maximal effort. There were significant increases in muscle power for knee extension (15%), knee flexion(38%), chest pull and press (15%), back extension and flexion (5%), and shoulder press post-training. Leg press (15%), vertical jump (10%), and side stepping agility (10%) were also significantly improved. Improved post-training pulmonary dynamics were observed as forced expiratory volume at one second increased 15%. There were a significant decrease in body fat (4.9%) and increases in arm girth (2.4 cm) and thigh girth (1.9 cm) for the exercise group. There were no changes in any variable in the control group. Our results indicate that WEX elicits significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and body composition of older adults.
Published Version
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