ABSTRACT
Introduction: Optimization of muscle strength is crucial for motor control efficiency and the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. Objective: Analyze the effects of aquatic physiotherapy using the Bad Ragaz method for the strengthening and endurance of the trunk muscles. Methods: An experimental, descriptive and quantitative study. Sixteen healthy, sedentary women with an average age of 19.4±1.6 years and BMI of 22.8±2.7 took part in this study. The trunk muscle strength was evaluated using isokinetic dynamometry and abdominal (one min test) and lumbar endurance tests. Results: The Shapiro-Wilk normality test, Cochran test, t-Student parametric test and Wilcoxon non-parametric test were applied at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. There was a significant improvement in the trunk extensor muscle strength for peak torque, p = 0.000, work, p = 0.000 and power, p = 0.008. With respect to the trunk flexor muscle strength, increases in the values for work, p = 0.032 and power, p = 0.022 were detected. A significant improvement in the flexor/ extensor ratio for work, p = 0.023, was also noted, and also in the abdominal endurance (p = 0.000) and Lumbar muscular-endurance (p = 0.000) tests. Conclusions: The aquatic physiotherapy program using the Bad Ragaz method was efficient in strengthening the trunk musculature of young, healthy and sedentary women.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Optimization of muscle strength is crucial for motor control efficiency and the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. Objective: Analyze the effects of aquatic physiotherapy using the Bad Ragaz method for the strengthening and endurance of the trunk muscles. Methods: An experimental, descriptive and quantitative study. Sixteen healthy, sedentary women with an average age of 19.4±1.6 years and BMI of 22.8±2.7 took part in this study. The trunk muscle strength was evaluated using isokinetic dynamometry and abdominal (one min test) and lumbar endurance tests. Results: The Shapiro-Wilk normality test, Cochran test, t-Student parametric test and Wilcoxon non-parametric test were applied at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. There was a significant improvement in the trunk extensor muscle strength for peak torque, p = 0.000, work, p = 0.000 and power, p = 0.008. With respect to the trunk flexor muscle strength, increases in the values for work, p = 0.032 and power, p = 0.022 were detected. A significant improvement in the flexor/ extensor ratio for work, p = 0.023, was also noted, and also in the abdominal endurance (p = 0.000) and Lumbar muscular-endurance (p = 0.000) tests.Conclusions: The aquatic physiotherapy program using the Bad Ragaz method was efficient in strengthening the trunk musculature of young, healthy and sedentary women.