Aquatic Training Research Articles

REPERCUSSÕES DO TREINO DE RESISTÊNCIA AQUÁTICO SOBRE A ESTABILIDADE DINÂMICA DOS ATLETAS DE VÔLEI

ABSTRACT Introduction Resistance training is considered a practical pathway for increasing strength and speed. Objective Explore the aquatic resistance training on the dynamic stability in volleyball athletes. Methods Using aquatic resistance training reinforcement, 20 first-level national male volleyball athletes were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The time of the experiment was ten weeks. In the end, lower limb muscle strength, jumping ability, dynamic stability, and muscle pain were compared. Residual effects were also checked six weeks after the end of the experiment. Results The aquatic resistance training group stopped training for six weeks, peak torque at 60°/s, 180°s of relative knee extension, jump height, full arm swing, and all three phases of the high jump were significantly better than the preliminary test; water entry speed in the vertical direction was also significantly better one week after training. Conclusion Aquatic resistance training can significantly improve the dynamic stability of the lower limbs, and its effect can be maintained up to 6 weeks after completion. It is recommended to apply resistance enhancement training to maintain fitness, especially for long periods. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the result.

Effect of Regular Swimming Training and Healthy Dietary Pattern on Endocrine-Related Indicators in Autism Spectrum Disorder – A New Insight

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neuro-developmental disorder that is mainly characterized by social interaction impairments. Health-related challenges including weight abnormalities and hormonal impairment seem to have a higher prevalence in ASD individuals. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of aquatic training and diet modification according to recommended guidelines on endocrine-related indicators including growth parameters and IGF-1 in teenage and young individuals with ASD. Methods: 5 individuals diagnosed with ASD (age = 14.86 ± 1.22) participated in regular aquatic sessions for 12 weeks, 2 sessions per week which lasted 60 min in each session. Body weight, stature, body mass index (BMI), and IGF-1 were measured before and after the study. Caregivers and healthcare centers to which the participants were referred for their therapeutic purposes, were given booklets and brochures regarding nutritional recommendations published by health authorities. Results: All of the participants were overweight (BMI = 27.98 ± 1.44). There was a significant improvement in body weight, BMI, and IGF-1 levels after the study (p ≤0.05). Although, there was no significant improvement in dietary pattern (p = 0.3) despite reported improvements recorded by families regarding food variety and consumed food groups. Conclusion: Aquatic training and diet modification can improve growth and health-related indicators in individuals with ASD.

Effect of aquatic resistance interval training and dietary education program on physical and psychological health in older women: Randomized controlled trial.

Due to demographic changes, the world's population is progressively aging. The physiological deterioration of the older adult may lead to reduced balance capacity and increased risk of falls, among others, due to the prevalence of degenerative diseases. Physical exercise can be effective in reducing the risk of disease and slowing functional decline in older people. The aim of the research is to test the effects of aquatic resistance training and dietary education on health indicators, strength, balance, functional autonomy, perception of satisfaction with life. Thirty-four participants aged 69 ± 4 years were randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (aquatic resistance interval training) and control group (no intervention). The intervention consisted of resistance training in an aquatic environment carried out for 14 weeks (three sessions per week: 60 min each). All variables were analyzed twice; pre - post intervention. Aquatic resistance training has positive effects on strength (p < 0.001), functional self-sufficiency (p < 0.001) and aerobic capacity (p < 0.001), however, no significant differences were observed in the perception of satisfaction with life and balance. Research results suggest that older women who engage in regular, scheduled aquatic resistance training have greater autonomy in performing activities of daily living, agility, gait control, and body composition variables (lower fat compartment and greater muscle mass).

SISTEMA DE TREINAMENTO FÍSICO ASSOCIADO AO FORTALECIMENTO DO CORE EM JOVENS NADADORES ESPORTISTAS

ABSTRACT Introduction: CORE fitness training in athletes is intimately related to their performance in competitive sports. However, few academic studies are dedicated to investigating this relationship in young swimmers. Objective: Verify the association between supplementary physical training focused on the CORE in young swimmers and their athletic performance. Methods: Randomized controlled study with 20 swimmers (12 males) born post-2000 was made in aquatic training three times a week for six months. The experimental group received a specific exercise protocol with emphasis on the CORE. The physiological comparison of the data considered the total time to complete the 400 and 800-meter freestyle swim. Results: After six months, the control group obtained a reduction of 2.6s versus 3.2s of the experimental group in the 400-meter freestyle swim; performance in the 800 meters revealed a reduction of 1s for the control group versus 4.5s of the experimental group, compared to the initial measurement. Conclusion: Supplemental fitness training focused on the CORE in young swimmers is positively associated with improvements in their athletic performance. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies – Investigating the results.

The Effect of Aquatic Plyometric Training on Jump Performance Including a Four-week Follow-up in Youth Female Volleyball Players.

This study aimed to analyze the effect of aquatic plyometric training (APT) on jump performance in volleyball players. Twelve female athletes (16.6 ± 0.9 years) were assessed through the following jump tests: spike height (SH), squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and CMJ with an arm swing (CMJA). Jump height in each test and the eccentric utilization ratio (EUR) were the outcome measures. APT consisted of sets of drop jumps for 6 weeks (2 sessions/week) at a water depth of 0.75 m. Tests were performed at the beginning of a five-week pre-season period, before and after APT, and four weeks later for the follow-up. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyze data and Hedges’ g to estimate effect size (ES). Performance of all jumps did not change from baseline to Pre-APT. Performance improved in SH (p < 0.001, ES: 1.09), the SJ (p = 0.045, ES: 0.76) and the CMJA (p < 0.001, ES: 0.78) after APT when compared to Pre-APT. No changes were observed after the follow-up period. In conclusion, including six weeks of APT in the training routine of youth volleyball players improved performance of a sport-specific task (SH), the SJ and CMJA, with gains preserved after a four-week follow-up.

Effects of Aquatic Training on Waist Circumference and Body Composition among Children: A Meta-analysis

PURPOSE: Aquatic training assists in reducing the risk of exercise on joints among children. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of aquatic training for children from the perspective of body composition.METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed to determine the potential impact of aquatic training in children. Four databases, namely Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO, were used for the systematic search from September 2010 to November 2021. The mean differences in the data were analyzed using Stata 15.1 software with a 95% confidence interval. Outcome measures included weight, body mass index (BMI), fat percentage (Fat%), and waist circumference.RESULTS: Eleven studies, comprising eight randomized controlled trials (RCT) and three non-RCT studies, evaluating the effect of aquatic training on children were analyzed and reported. Aquatic training significantly improved the BMI (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.01) and Fat% (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&lt;.01) in children (ES (95% CI)=-0.23 (-0.38, -0.08) and ES (95% CI)=-0.27 (-0.45, -0.08). However, aquatic training had no significant effect on weight (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.41), ES (95% CI)=-0.07 (-0.25, 0.10), and waist circumference (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=.11) in children, ES (95% CI)=-0.33 (-0.74, 0.08).CONCLUSIONS: Aquatic training can improve children’s BMI and body fat% but nottheir weight, waist circumference, and muscle mass. Aquatic training may be a potential exercise program for improving body composition in children.

The Effect of Aquatic Exercise Training on Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

(1) Background: Aquatic exercise training is a relatively understudied exercise modality in patients with CAD; with the present study, we sought to compare the impact of short-term 14-day water- and land-based exercise training on heart rate variability (HRV). (2) Methods: We randomized 90 patients after a recent CAD event (myocardial infarction and/or revascularization within 2 months prior to inclusion) to either (i) water-based or (ii) land-based exercise training (14 days, two 30 min sessions daily), or (iii) controls. Before and after the intervention period, all participants underwent 20 min 12-channel high-resolution ECG recordings with off-line HRV analysis, including conventional linear time- and frequency-domain analysis (using the Welch method for fast-Fourier transformation), and preselected non-linear analysis (Poincaré plot-derived parameters, sample entropy, and the short-term scaling exponent α1 obtained by detrended fluctuation analysis). (3) Results: Eighty-nine patients completed the study (mean age 60 ± 8 years; 20 % women). We did not detect significant differences in baseline- or age-adjusted end-of-study HRV parameters, but aquatic exercise training was associated with a significant increase in the linear LF/HF parameter (from 2.6 [1.2–4.0] to 3.0 [2.1–5.5], p = 0.046) and the non-linear α1 parameter (from 1.2 [1.1–1.4] to 1.3 [1.2–1.5], p = 0.043). (4) Conclusions: Our results have shown that a short-term 14-day aquatic exercise training program improves selected HRV parameters, suggesting this mode of exercise is safe and may be beneficial in patients with CAD.

Effect of Aquatic Treadmill Training on Patients with Hemiplegia after Stroke

<bold>Objective</bold> To observe the effect of aquatic treadmill training on resting muscle thickness of the affected side and walking functions of patients with hemiplegia after stroke. <bold>Methods</bold> A total of 40 patients with hemiplegia after stroke hospitalized in the China Rehabilitation Research Center from March 2021 to October 2021, were divided randomly into control group and experiment group according to the random series generated by SPSS 26.0 software, with 20 patients in each group. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation treatment (basic movement training, motor function facilitation, dynamic standing balance training, walking training, etc.), 30 minutes a time, once a day, five days a week, lasting for four weeks. In addition to the conventional rehabilitation treatment, the control group received gait training with the overhead track system and the experiment group received aquatic treadmill training. Both groups were treated for 20 minutes a day, five days a week, lasting for four weeks. Before and after treatment, a full digital handheld color ultrasound diagnostic instrument was used to measure the muscle thickness of obliquus externus abdominis (EO）, internal abdominal oblique (IO), transverse abdominal (TrA), rectus femoris (RF), tibialis anterior (TA) and medial gastrocnemius (MG). GaitWatch 3D gait analysis and sports training system was used to measure velocity, swing time asymmetry ratio and step length asymmetry ratio. <bold>Results</bold> 1) Muscle thickness: compared with that before treatment, the thickness of RF and TA muscles in the control group increased significantly after treatment; the thickness of EO, IO, TrA, RF and TA muscles of the experiment group increased significantly after treatment, the difference was statistically significant (<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05). Compared with the control group, there was significant increases in thickness of EO, IO, RF and TA muscles in the experiment group (<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05). 2) Gait velocity, swing time asymmetry ratio, step length asymmetry ratio: compared with that before treatment, gait velocity of both groups after treatment increased significantly, and step length asymmetry ratio decreased significantly, the difference was statistically significant (<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.05). <bold>Conclusion</bold> The aquatic treadmill training can improve the affected side muscle thickness, gait velocity and step length asymmetry ratio of patients with hemiplegia after stroke, and is recommended for clinical application.

Aquatic Aerobic and Combined Training in Management of Type 2 Diabetes: The Diabetes and Aquatic Training Study (DATS): A Randomized Clinical Trial.

To compare the effects of aquatic aerobic and combined (aerobic more resistance) training on glycemic control and other cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients were randomized to an aquatic aerobic training (AERO, n = 19; 57.5 [7.4]y; 9 [47%] women), or an aquatic combined training (COMBI, n = 19; 60.9 [7.4]y; 10 [53%] women), or an aquatic active procedure control (n = 19; 58.6 [9.7]y; 10 [53%] women) in 3 weekly sessions (50min each), during 15weeks. Glycated hemoglobin was the primary outcome, whereas insulin resistance markers, lipid profile, systemic inflammation, renin concentration, blood pressure, physical activity levels, and sitting time were secondary outcomes. Glycated hemoglobin was reduced in all groups (P = .021), although changes were more marked in AERO (-0.36%) and COMBI (-0.44%) than in active control (-0.26%) group. Lipid profile was similarly modified in all groups. Diastolic blood pressure and renin concentration were also reduced in all groups; however, renin showed more marked reductions in AERO (-17.7uIU/mL) and COMBI (-15.1uIU/mL) than in active control (0.2uIU/mL) group. Fasting insulin, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, walking time, and sitting time on weekends were not modified. AERO and COMBI presented similar effect to improve glycemic control and some cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Investigation of the Effectiveness and Safety of the Rehabilitation Program for Patients with Long Covid Using Aquatic Training

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of aquatic training in diluted sodium chloride bromine brine in restoring the functional state of the organism of patients with portcovid syndrome in comparison with aquatic training in fresh water. Material and methods. Specialists of the National Medical Research Centre of Rehabilitation and Balneology of the Ministry of Health of Russia conducted an open, prospective, randomized study to evaluate the effect of a course of aquatic training in a bromine sodium chloride brine pool. The study included 28 subjects, who were divided into 2 equal groups. Patients in both groups were comparable for gender (χ2 =0.45; p=0.31) and age (U=99.5; p=0.7) and all had post COVID-19 (U 09.9) as their primary diagnosis. The intervention group received a course of aquatic training (7 treatments) in a pool with bromine sodium chloride brine (well No. 69, 32 Novy Arbat Street, Moscow) with mineralization of 120 g/dm3 and its preliminary dilution to 40 g/m3. Control group – a course of aquatic-exercises (7 treatments) in a fresh water pool. Patients, after signing informed consent, underwent load tests: 6-minute walking test, laser Doppler flowmetry (“LASMA ST”, Russia), cardiointervalography (“Health Reserves-R”, Russia). Results and discussion. These data confirm the “null” hypothesis of a more favorable effect of the chemical composition of the diluted brine that acts during aquatic training on the patient’s body compared to fresh water, especially in the presence of microcirculation disorders after suffering COVID-19. The group of patients who received aquatic training in the pool with bromine sodium chloride brine revealed a significant decrease in excessive sympathetic nervous system activity (T-11.0; p=0.02) at the end of the study. According to LAZMA-ST data, there was a twofold increase in the oxidative metabolism of the cell (IOM T-16.0; p &lt;0.01), an increase in exercise tolerance (6-minute walk test T-10.0; p =0.01). IOM increased statistically significantly threefold (U-32.0; p&lt;0.001), mean microcirculation doubled (U 120.0; p&lt;0.05) and BMI decreased by 20.0% (U-58.0; p&lt;0.05) in the intervention group compared with the control group. There were no significant differences between patient groups on safety parameters (χ2= 1.36; p&gt;0.05). These data confirm the “null” hypothesis of a more favorable effect of the chemical composition of the diluted brine that acts during aquatic training on the patient’s body compared to fresh water, especially in the presence of microcirculation disorders after suffering COVID-19. Conclusion. Aquatic training in sodium chloride bromide brine effectively reduces the sympathetic nervous system activity, increases oxidative metabolism and improves microcirculation compared to aquatic training in fresh water.

Effect of High-Volume Training on Psychological State and Performance in Competitive Swimmers.

This study aimed to examine the effect of four weeks of aquatic high-volume training (HVT) on the psychological state (somatic, cognitive anxiety, and self-confidence) and sprint swimming performance (50 m front crawl) compared to the standard training program (moderate volume training) in competitive swimmers. Twenty-eight male competitive swimmers participated in this study and were randomly allocated into two groups: HVT group (n = 14; age = 16.4 ± 0.31 years) and control group that underwent the standard training program (n = 14; age = 16.1 ± 0.30 years). All psychological state variables and swimming performance were measured in pre and post-test. Our findings showed a significant increase in anxiety state (34.13% to 45.83%; ES = 3.26 to 3.38) and a significant decrease in self-confidence (18.43%; ES = 2.39) after four weeks of HVT, while all psychological state variables remained unchanged in the control group (p > 0.05). In addition, our results showed no significant enhancement in swimming performance in both groups (p > 0.05). The sudden increase in training mileage negatively affected the anxiety, decreasing the state of self-confidence of the participants. In addition, four weeks of high training volume are insufficient to improve swimming performance. To conclude, gradually increasing the volume of the training load may be an adequate solution to promote adaptation to the effort, thus maintaining the stability of the psychological state of swimmers. In addition, it is recommended to integrate a concurrent mental preparation program with high-volume training to monitor the psychological state of competitive swimmers.

Effects of Aquatic Training and Bicycling Training on Leg Function and Range of Motion in Amateur Athletes with Meniscal Allograft Transplantation during Intermediate-Stage Rehabilitation.

Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) is a treatment modality for restoring knee function in patients with irreversible meniscal injury. Strengthening programs to promote functional recovery are treated with caution during the intermediate rehabilitation phase following MAT. This study analyzed the effects of aquatic training (AQT) and bicycling training (BCT) during the intermediate stage of rehabilitation in amateur athletes that underwent MAT. Participants (n = 60) were divided into AQT (n = 30) and BCT (n = 30) groups. Both groups performed training three times per week from 6 to 24 weeks following surgery. International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form (IKDC) score, knee joint range of motion (ROM), isokinetic knee strength, and Y-balance test (YBT) performance were evaluated. All measured variables for the AQT and BCT groups improved significantly after training compared with pre-training values. The IKDC score and YBT were significantly higher for AQT than for BCT. The knee flexion ROM and isokinetic muscle strength were significantly improved in the BCT group compared to those in the AQT group. The AQT group exhibited greater improvement in dynamic balance, whereas BCT provided greater improvement in isokinetic muscle strength. AQT and BCT were effective in reducing discomfort and improving knee symptoms and functions during intermediate-stage rehabilitation following MAT in amateur athletes.

Effects of Aquatic Physical Exercise on Motor Risk Factors for Falls in Older People During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the effects of aquatic training on motor risk factors for falls in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsA randomized controlled trial was carried out with older people, divided into an aquatic training group (ATG) (n = 24) and a control group (CG) (n = 25). Muscle strength was assessed by the 5-Times Sit-to-Stand Test, mobility by the simple and dual-task Timed Up and Go Test, and postural stability through stabilometric data (force platform). The CG received monthly calls to monitor general health. The ATG carried out training lasting 16 weeks, with two 1-hour sessions per week. ResultsBoth groups improved muscular strength and cognitive-motor tasks, and they performed a dual task with fewer errors in the secondary task after 16 weeks regardless of the pandemic and COVID-19 diagnosis. There was a significant decrease in the area of center of pressure displacement in the tandem posture with eyes closed in the CG. When analyzing participants who adhered at least 50% to the intervention, the ATG significantly reduced the number of steps on the Timed Up and Go Test performance. Both groups improved muscular strength and cognitive-motor tasks and increased the cognitive task cost. In the CG, there was a significant decrease in the mean amplitude of the anteroposterior center of pressure displacement in the feet together with eyes open. ConclusionWe found that aquatic physical exercise presented positive effects on some potentially modifiable motor risk factors for falls (mobility and muscle strength) regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 diagnosis, especially among people who adhered to the intervention.

Effects of Ten Different Exercise Interventions on Motor Function in Parkinson's Disease Patients-A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate ten exercise interventions (YOGA: yoga training, RT: resistance training, AQU: aquatic training, TAI: Taiji Qigong training, TRD: treadmill training, VR: virtual reality training, DANCE: musical dance training, WKT: walking training, CYC: cycling training, BDJ: Baduanjin Qigong training) on motor function in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Design: Through searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CNKI, only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were collected to study the effects of the ten exercise interventions on motor function in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The included studies were evaluated for methodological quality by the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. Results: The RCTs were collected between the earliest available date and April 2022. Sixty RCTs were included and the total sample size used in the study was 2859. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that DANCE can significantly improve patients’ Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (SUCRA = 78.4%); DANCE can significantly decline patients’ Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale score (UPDRS) (SUCRA = 72.3%) and YOGA can significantly decline patients’ Timed-Up-and-Go score (TUGT) (SUCRA = 78.0%). Conclusion: Based on the network meta-analysis and SUCRA ranking, we can state that dance, yoga, virtual reality training and resistance training offers better advantages than other exercise interventions for patients’ motor function.

Effects of aquatic high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on central hemodynamic parameters, endothelial function and aerobic fitness in inactive adults

Background/ObjectiveThe effects of land-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the cardiovascular system have already been demonstrated. However, the water environment is different from that on land. Therefore, we investigated the effects of 6-week aquatic HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on central hemodynamic parameters, endothelial function, and aerobic fitness in inactive adults. MethodsThirty-one inactive adults were randomly assigned to HIIT or MICT group. HIIT group performed twelve 30-s swimming exercise bouts with the intensity of 95% HRmax and 15–18/20 RPE with a 60-s rest period between each bout. MICT group performed a 30-min uninterrupted swimming exercise with the intensity of 70%–75% HRmax and 12–14/20 RPE. Training frequency for both groups was three times a week. The pulse wave analysis and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were measured by non-invasive equipments. ResultsThe aerobic fitness significantly increased after HIIT, but no change was seen after MICT. Augmentation pressure (AP) and augmentation index normalized at 75 bpm (AIx@HR75) significantly decreased after HIIT but not MICT, whereas MICT rather than HIIT improved subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), central and peripheral blood pressure, and resting HR. Only HIIT significantly increased brachial endothelial function. ConclusionA six-week aquatic HIIT and MICT had no differences in hemodynamic parameters, endothelial function, and aerobic fitness, however 6 weeks of aquatic HIIT reduced arterial stiffness, increased endothelial function and aerobic fitness, while 6 weeks of aquatic MICT reduced arterial blood pressure and resting HR and increased the coronary blood flow reserve.

Effect of Aquatic Exercise Training on Left Ventricular Afterload in in Middle‐aged and Older Normotensives: Evaluation by Polar coordinate description

Regular aerobic physical activity has been recommended to prevent the age‐related increase in cardiovascular disease risks. However, the effect of in‐water aerobic exercise training (e.g., swimming, head‐out aquatic exercise) on the aortic augmentation index (AIx), an index of left ventricular afterload, is inconsistent. Recently, there has been a gaining recognition about the limitations of dimensionless ratio‐based metrics, including AIx (=augmentation pressure [AP]/pulse pressure [PP]). The single‐use of ratio would provide incomplete information relative to the “content” of the two components: since AP is a component of PP, the training‐induced change in AP might be masked by the corresponding change in PP. Accordingly, using the newly proposed companion metrics of AIx by polar coordinate description, we determined the effect of head‐out aquatic exercise training on left ventricular afterload in middle‐aged and older adults. We evaluated aortic hemodynamics in 15 normotensives (62±10 y.o., four men) before and after a 15‐week aquatic exercise course. Aortic hemodynamics were estimated from brachial arterial pressure waveforms via the general transfer function method. Companion metrics of AIx (AIxC=√{AP2+PP2}) were calculated as measures of arterial load. The participation rate in the training course was 86 %. Aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased after the training course (from 112±8 to 108±11 mmHg, P=0.02). AIxC also decreased (from 45±7 to 42±7 mmHg2, P=0.01). In contrast, AIx remained unchanged (from 47±10 to 45±11 %, P=0.148) presumably due to parallel changes in AP (from 19±5 to 17±5 mmHg, P=0.002) and PP (from 41±6 to 39±6 mmHg, P=0.01). These findings suggest that head‐out aquatic exercise training might lower the left ventricular afterload in middle‐aged and older normotensives. The newly introduced companion metric may provide better insight into underlying physiology.

Effects of Aquatic Training in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Simple SummarySwimming can be an alternative in the physical exercise curriculum to improve the motor abilities as well as the social behavior and communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in schools and institutions. It is important to assess the effects of different forms of aquatic training (e.g., technical vs. game-based) to improve motor and stereotypy skills as well as emotion regulation in autistic children. This information should be of great interest to professionals to choose the appropriate training form to improve each of these abilities. The finding that both forms of swimming had a positive effect on gross motor skills and stereotyped behaviors in autistic children is in agreement with the accumulated evidence of swimming’s effectiveness to alleviate symptoms of motor and behavioral problems. In contrast, emotion regulation is not likely to improve after a short intervention period. The preliminary findings of this study are an important guidance for future researchers to further examine the neurophysiological and cognitive mechanisms of exercise–emotion and exercise–behavior relationships in children with ASD.A variety of aquatic training regimens have been found to be beneficial for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in multiple domains. This study investigated and compared the efficacy of two aquatic training regimens (technical vs. game-based) on gross motor skills, stereotypy behavior and emotion regulation in children with ASD. Twenty-two autistic children were randomly assigned into three groups: two experimental groups performed either a technical aquatic program or a game-based aquatic program and a control group. Participants were assessed before and after an 8-week training period, with the Test of Gross Motor Development, the stereotypy subscale of the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, and the Emotion Regulation Checklist. A significant effect for time was found in gross motor skills and stereotypy behavior in both experimental groups. An improvement in gross motor skills was observed in both experimental groups compared to the control group. A small pre-post change effect in emotion functioning was found in all groups. No significant differences were observed between the experimental groups in all assessed variables. Our findings provide additional evidence suggesting the effectiveness of beneficial effects of aquatic activities on the motor and social skills that underpin the hypothesis that motor and intellectual domains are highly interrelated in autistic children.

The effects of a 12-week aquatic training intervention on the quality of life of healthy elderly men: a randomized controlled trial

The effects of a 12-week aquatic training intervention on the quality of life of healthy elderly men: a randomized controlled trial

Impact or No Impact for Women With Mild Knee Osteoarthritis: A Bayesian Meta-Analysis of Two Randomized Controlled Trials With Contrasting Interventions.

To predict the probability of a benefit from 2 contrasting exercise programs for women with a new diagnosis of mild knee osteoarthritis, and to estimate the short- and long-term effects of aquatic resistance training (ART) and high-impact aerobic land training (HLT) compared with a control. Original data sets from 2 previously conducted randomized controlled trials were combined and used in a Bayesian meta-analysis. Group differences in multiple response variables were estimated. Variables included cardiorespiratory fitness, dynamic maximum leg muscle power, maximal isometric knee extension and flexion force, pain, other symptoms, and quality of life. The statistical model included a latent commitment variable for each female participant. ART had a 55-71% probability of benefits in the outcome variables, and as the main effect, the intervention outperformed the control in cardiorespiratory fitness, with a probability of 71% immediately after the intervention period. HLT had a 46-63% probability of benefits after intervention with the outcome variables, but differently from ART; the positive effects of physical performance fade away during the follow-up period. Overall, the differences between groups were small, and the variation in the predictions between individuals was high. Both interventions had benefits, but ART has a slightly higher probability of long-term benefits on physical performance. Because of high individual variation and no clear advantage of one training method over the other, personal preferences should be considered in the selection of the exercise program to ensure highest commitment to training.

Effectiveness of aquatic exercise in lower limb osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term and follow-up effectiveness of aquatic training on the health status of lower limb osteoarthritis. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on related topics were systematically searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang databases from inception to January 2021. RevMan 5.3 was used for statistical analysis, and the standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to present pooled effect sizes. As a result, 19 RCTs (1592 patients) were included. Compared with unsupervised home exercise or usual care (land-based training excluded), aquatic training showed short-term pain relief (SMD, -0.54; 95% CI, -0.81 to -0.28), physical function improvement (SMD, -0.64; 95% CI, -1.00 to -0.28), stiffness reduction (SMD, -0.40; 95% CI, -0.79 to -0.01) and improved function in sport and recreation (SMD, -0.30; 95% CI, -0.59 to -0.02). Analyses restricted to patients with knee osteoarthritis only also confirmed the positive effects of aquatic training on most dimensions excluding physical function. At medium-term follow-ups, improvements in physical function and function in sport and recreation were observed. No significant difference was observed between arms in the above four outcomes at long-term follow-ups. All studies reported no major adverse event with relation to aquatic training, and the minor adverse events were not common. It is concluded that aquatic training likely has short-term benefits on pain, physical function, stiffness and sport ability in lower limb osteoarthritis patients, but these positive effects may not last long.