AE may improve physical functioning in healthy older people and is at least as effective as LE
BACKGROUND ageing and sedentary behaviour cause negative changes in the neuromuscular systems of healthy older adults result ing in a decrease in physical functioning .
Exercising in water ( aquatic exercise , AE ) has been shown to be effective at improving physical functioning in this population ; however , no systematic review with meta- analysis has been published .
Water- versus land-based exercise in elderly subjects: effects on physical performance and body composition
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a 24-week exercise protocol carried out in geothermal spring water to improve overall physical function and muscle mass in a group of healthy elderly subjects . A further aim was to compare this water-based protocol with a l and -based protocol and a control group . For this purpose , 59 subjects were recruited and r and omly allocated to three groups : aquatic group ( AG ) , l and group ( LG ) , and control group ( CG ) . AG and LG followed a 6-month , twice-weekly , multimodality exercise intervention . AG underwent the protocol in hot-spring water ( 36 ° C ) while LG did it in a l and -based environment . After the intervention , knee-extension strength was maintained in AG and LG . The 8-foot up- and -go test showed a reduction in both exercise groups ( AG −19.3 % , P < 0.05 ; LG −12.6 % , P < 0.05 ) , with a significantly greater decrease in AG . The back-scratch test revealed an improvement only in AG ( 25.8 % ; P < 0.05 ) , while the sit- and -reach test improved in all groups . Finally , AG reduced fat mass by 4 % ( P < 0.05 ) , and dominant forearm fat decreased by 9.2 % ( P < 0.05 ) . In addition , calf muscle density increased by 1.8 % ( P < 0.05 ) . In summary , both water- and l and -based activities were beneficial in maintaining strength and in improving lower-body flexibility . Aquatic exercise appeared a better activity to improve dynamic balance . Thermal swimming pools and the use of rating of perceived exertion as a method of exercise monitoring should be considered potentially useful tools to enhance physical performance and body composition in healthy elderly
AE may improve physical functioning in healthy older people and is at least as effective as LE
BACKGROUND ageing and sedentary behaviour cause negative changes in the neuromuscular systems of healthy older adults result ing in a decrease in physical functioning .
Exercising in water ( aquatic exercise , AE ) has been shown to be effective at improving physical functioning in this population ; however , no systematic review with meta- analysis has been published .