Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aquatic health exercise program for the old.
Methods: 20 healthy female with an average age of 71years(71{pm}4.2), were participated in this study. The aquatic health exercise program that include warm-up, stretching, strengthening exercise, WATSU and cool-down was performed in the pool two times a week for eight weeks(40min per one session). Body composition, strength of the both knee flexors and extensors, balance ability(sway area and path), whole body reaction time and flexibility(forward reaching test in long sitting) were measured before and after exercise. The data was analyzed with paired t-test to determine significant differences of all suggested factors between pre and post-exercise by make use of the SPSS(ver 10.0) package program.
Results: The strength of the both knee flexors and extensors were increased significantly(right knee; p<0.01, left knee; p<0.05). Anteroposterior sway area (p<0.01), and sway path (p<0.001) of both leg were reduced significantly with eyes closed and opened. Whole body reaction time by optical stimulation was increased significantly (p<0.01) but whole body reaction time by auditory stimulation was no significant difference. The flexibility was increased significantly (p<0.01).
Conclusion: Aquatic health exercise program can improve muscle strength, balance, whole body reaction, and flexibility.
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