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 .
Effectiveness of aquatic exercise for obese patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE To design an aquatic exercise ( AQE ) and l and -based exercise ( LBE ) program to enhance knee function and reduce body fat in patients with obesity and knee osteoarthritis and to investigate the effectiveness of AQE and LBE on body fat , functional fitness , and functional status . SETTING Outpatient clinic at a Seoul National University Bundang Hospital . PARTICIPANTS Obese patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited from patients who visited the rehabilitation , orthopedic surgery , and geriatric outpatient clinics at the hospital . Study participants were limited to those who met the following criteria : body mass index more than 25 kg/m(2 ) , abdominal circumference more than 90 cm ( men ) or 85 cm ( women ) , clinical ly diagnosed osteoarthritis with Kellgren-Lawrence scale 2 or higher on radiographic studies , and independent ambulation state . METHODS Participants were r and omly allocated into 3 groups : AQE ( n = 26 ) , LBE ( n = 25 ) , and the control group ( n = 24 ) . Exercise interventions were conducted 3 times a week for 8 weeks . OUTCOME MEASURES Body fat analysis , brief pain inventory , Western Ontario and McMaster Universities ' osteoarthritis index , Short Form-36 question naire , and knee isokinetic tests were evaluated to assess changes in body fat composition , pain , physical function , and quality of life before and after the exercise program . RESULTS Although no significant difference was found in general characteristics among the 3 groups before exercise , body fat proportion in the AQE group decreased significantly ( mean + /- SD , from 34.4 + /- 4.7 to 33.3 + /- 4.7 ; P = .031 ) after intervention . The body mass index was slightly reduced after intervention , but it was not statistically significant . The AQE group showed significant improvements in pain , disability , and quality of life . Notably , the change in pain interference in the AQE group ( mean + /- SD , from 25.8 + /- 15.1 to 18.8 + /- 13.1 ; P = .009 ) was greater than that of the LBE group . Both exercise groups showed significant improvements in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities ' osteoarthritis index disability compared with the control group . CONCLUSIONS AQE had an advantage in controlling the interference with activity because of pain . AQE may be an effective tool for patients with obesity who have difficulties with active exercise due to knee osteoarthritis
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 .