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 .
The PICO project: aquatic exercise for knee osteoarthritis in overweight and obese individuals
Background Aquatic exercise is recommended by the Osteoarthritis Research Society ( OARSI ) , by the American College of Rheumatology ( ACR ) and by the European League Against Rheumatism ( EULAR ) as a nonpharmacological method of controlling the knee osteoarthritis ( KOA ) symptoms . Moreover , given that weight loss results in a reduction of the load that is exerted upon the knee during daily activities , obesity is also considered to be a modifiable risk factor for the development and or exacerbation of KOA . The implementation of an exercise based weight loss program may , however , itself be limited by the symptoms of KOA . The aquatic program against osteoarthritis ( termed “ PICO ” in Portuguese ) prioritizes the control of symptoms and the recovery of functionality , with an attendant increase in the patient ’s physical activity level and , consequently , metabolic rate . Our laboratory is assessing the effectiveness of 3 months of PICO on the symptoms of KOA , on physical function , on quality of life and on gait . In addition , PICO shall examine the effects of said exercise intervention on inflammatory biomarkers , psychological health , life style and body composition . Methods / Design The trial is a prospect i ve , single-blinded , r and omized controlled trial , and involves 50 overweight and obese adults ( BMI = 28–43.5 kg/m2 ; age 40–65 yrs ) with radiographic KOA . The participants are r and omly allocated into either an educational attention ( control ) group or an aquatic ( exercise program ) group .  This paper describes the experimental protocol that is used in the PICO project . Discussion The PICO program shall provide insight into the effectiveness of an aquatic exercise program in the control of KOA symptoms and in the improvement of the quality of life . As such , they are likely to prove a useful reference to health professionals who intend to implement any kind of therapeutic intervention based around aquatic exercise . Trial registration NCT01832545
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 .