Beneficial effects of aquatic exercise were found on physical function .
Water-based exercises are recommended for people with osteoarthritis ( OA ) , due to the beneficial effects on physical function , quality of life and symptom reduction .
However , the effects on muscle strength are still controversial .
The aim of this review was to assess and compare the effects of aquatic exercise programs on muscle strength and physical function in people with OA .
A randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of water-based exercise to improve falls risk and physical function in older adults with lower-extremity osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of a water-based exercise program specifically targeting balance to reduce falls risk and improve measures of balance and physical function in older adults with osteoarthritis ( OA ) . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING Community . PARTICIPANTS Persons ( N=39 ; mean±SD age , 74±6y ; 26 women ) with mild to moderate OA and at risk for falling met study criteria , were measured at baseline , and were r and omly assigned to the intervention ( n=23 ) and control groups ( n=16 ) . INTERVENTIONS Water-based program ( 12wk , twice weekly ; intervention group ) or a time-matched computer training program ( control group ) . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The primary outcome was the short-form Physiological Profile Assessment ( PPA ) . Secondary outcomes included the Step Test , Timed Up and Go Test , Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index ( Likert 3.0 version ) , Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 , and Activity-specific Balance Confidence Scale . RESULTS No statistically significant between-group differences were found for any outcome measured ( n=35 ; 4 lost to follow-up ) . Within-group analysis indicated that Step Test results improved significantly in both groups ( mean change : control group , left leg , 2.07 ; 95 % confidence interval , 3.19-.95 ; P=.002 ; intervention group , 2.14 ; 95 % confidence interval , 3.20 - 1.08 ; P=.000 ) . Two PPA item scores ( reaction time , contrast sensitivity ) improved significantly ( 86.83 ; 95 % confidence interval , 9.86 - 163.79 ; P=.03 ; 1.43 ; 95 % confidence interval , 2.35-.50 ; P=.005 , respectively ) in the control group , result ing in a lower falls risk score . CONCLUSIONS Water-based exercise did not reduce falls risk in our sample compared with attending a computer skills training class . Our study is , to our knowledge , the first to compare water-based exercise in this population with a control group that attended a time-dose-equivalent seated community-based activity . Whether gaining computer skills and going out into the community twice weekly is adequate stimulus to reduce falls risk in people with OA requires further investigation
Beneficial effects of aquatic exercise were found on physical function .
Water-based exercises are recommended for people with osteoarthritis ( OA ) , due to the beneficial effects on physical function , quality of life and symptom reduction .
However , the effects on muscle strength are still controversial .
The aim of this review was to assess and compare the effects of aquatic exercise programs on muscle strength and physical function in people with OA .