ABSTRACT
Strength training performed while restricting blood flow is believed to cause the secretion of growth hormones under low load intensities and allow for muscle hypertrophy and increased muscle strength. This has potential clinical applications for elderly individuals and people with existing conditions. However, previous research has been performed on land, with hemodynamics and growth hormone secretion trends for training performed underwater unclear. Against this background, we investigated the effects of blood flow restriction training underwater on hemodynamics and plasma growth hormone (GH) levels. Twelve healthy university students were divided into two groups: a localized immersion group where only the upper limb of the dominant hand was submerged, and a whole-body immersion group where participants were submerged to the xiphoid process. Immersed according to respective group protocols, both groups performed flexion and extension of the shoulder joint for 10 minutes with a pressurized cuff at the base of the upper arm under both 0 mmHg and 50 mmHg cuff pressures. Measured hemodynamics were heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Plasma GH levels were measured from blood samples. This study revealed that underwater blood flow restriction strength training induced plasma GH level secretion under 50 mmHg conditions. In addition, high levels of GH secretion were shown in the localized immersion group for strength training even when the cuff was not pressurized. Conversely, no significant differences were evident in any measured hemodynamic categories. Results suggest that, in addition to cuff pressure, blood flow restriction training is affected by the body part immersed in water.
ABSTRACT
Strength training performed while restricting blood flow is believed to cause the secretion of growth hormones under low load intensities and allow for muscle hypertrophy and increased muscle strength. This has potential clinical applications for elderly individuals and people with existing conditions. However, previous research has been performed on land, with hemodynamics and growth hormone secretion trends for training performed underwater unclear. Against this background, we investigated the effects of blood flow restriction training underwater on hemodynamics and plasma growth hormone (GH) levels. Twelve healthy university students were divided into two groups: a localized immersion group where only the upper limb of the dominant hand was submerged, and a whole-body immersion group where participants were submerged to the xiphoid process. Immersed according to respective group protocols, both groups performed flexion and extension of the shoulder joint for 10 minutes with a pressurized cuff at the base of the upper arm under both 0 mmHg and 50 mmHg cuff pressures. Measured hemodynamics were heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Plasma GH levels were measured from blood samples. This study revealed that underwater blood flow restriction strength training induced plasma GH level secretion under 50 mmHg conditions. In addition, high levels of GH secretion were shown in the localized immersion group for strength training even when the cuff was not pressurized. Conversely, no significant differences were evident in any measured hemodynamic categories. Results suggest that, in addition to cuff pressure, blood flow restriction training is affected by the body part immersed in water.
ABSTRACT
Underwater exercise and hydrotherapy have rapidly developed in recent years. As an noninvasive and convenient tool, sur-face electromyography (sEMG) has been applied in underwater research. In favour of experiment procedure, underwater sEMG needs local-ized waterproof seal or whole-body waterproof suit, and are mainly detected by telemetry system. The muscle activity pattern of underwater exercise is different from on land exercise, the sMEG amplitude is correlated with motion velocity. Compound underwater motion analysis includes sEMG, video and foot pressure will be more effective assessment tool for underwater exercise and hydrotherapy research.
ABSTRACT
@#Underwater exercise and hydrotherapy have rapidly developed in recent years. As an noninvasive and convenient tool, surface electromyography (sEMG) has been applied in underwater research. In favour of experiment procedure, underwater sEMG needs localized waterproof seal or whole-body waterproof suit, and are mainly detected by telemetry system. The muscle activity pattern of underwater exercise is different from on land exercise, the sMEG amplitude is correlated with motion velocity. Compound underwater motion analysis includes sEMG, video and foot pressure will be more effective assessment tool for underwater exercise and hydrotherapy research.
ABSTRACT
The specific effect of underwater exercise in a 61-year old woman with cerebellar ataxia induced by spinocerebellar degeneration was observed. She was treated through home visit rehabilitation. She was admitted to this hospital in 2004 and started underwater exercise. She received 40 minutes of physical therapy three times a week as well as 40 minutes of occupational therapy and 30 minutes of underwater exercise three times a week. After that training, her cerebellar ataxia was relieved, and she could walk indoors with good stability using a T cane. During 5 hospitalizations in 3.5 years, her cerebellar ataxia improved and her walking was stabilized.<br>Some differences in her rehabilitation during hospitalization compared to when she was at home was that occupational therapy was added and that the training frequency was increased five times by physical therapy and occupational therapy for one week in total, and that underwater exercise was added. In regards to the improvement of her dysfunction in terms of daily living, a trunk and an inferior limb were important factors. Therefore, we think that intervention through physical therapy and underwater exercise was significant. Also, the difference between her physical therapy during hospitalization and when at-home was three times a week during hospitalization and twice a week when at home. Therefore, we determined there was a large difference of her rehabilitation effected by the underwater exercise. There is a possibility the underwater exercise improved her intension tremor and dysmetria, stabilized her indoor walking, and extended the distance she walked outdoors.<br>Underwater exercise is a plural classical training method that is reasonably safe while at the same time providing rehabilitation for cerebellar ataxia, and this exercise is expected to provide addition due to the warm temperature of the water.<br>The authors propose that new rehabilitation using underwater exercise for cerebellar ataxia be considered.
ABSTRACT
We investigated the effects of underwater exercise plus hot-spring bathing on middle aged people.<br>Twenty-five subjects (mean age: 59.6±8.9 years) were divided into three groups (A, B, and C) and examined. Group A (three males, seven females) was subjected to underwater exercise and hot-spring bathing. Group B (eight females) was subjected to underwater exercise and fresh water bathing. Group C (seven females) was a control group (no exercise and no bathing).<br>Group A and B performed underwater exercise consisting of underwater walking, basic exercise, and swimming for 70 minutes. Group A was then subjected to hot-spring bathing (sodium bicarbonate spring, PH 8.0, 39°C) for 20min, and while Group B was subjected to fresh-water bathing (30°C).<br>Blood pressure was measured and blood tests were conducted early in the morning on the day of exercise plus bathing and on the following day. Further, Profile of Mood Status (POMS) tests were also conducted on the day following the exercise with bathing and data were compared.<br>The findings were as follows.<br>1) On the day following the exercise plus bathing, group A (underwater exercise plus hot-spring bathing) had significantly lower diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, CD4, red blood cells, hematocrit and total protein when compared with values before treatment (p<0.05).<br>2) After the exercise plus bathing, group A (underwater exercise plus hot-spring bathing) had significantly lower levels of depression-dejection, anger-hostility and confusion in POMS tests when compared with those of Group C (control group, no exercise and no bathing) (p<0.05).<br>We concluded that underwater exercise plus hot-spring bathing has good effects on the health of middle aged people.
ABSTRACT
Underwater exercise for ordonary adult lumbago patients (5 males, 5 females) and athletes with lumbago (11 males) was carried out.<BR>The mean ages of ordonary adult lumbago patients and athletes with lumbago were 47.1 yr, and 20.1 yr respectively. The underwater exercise was conducted twice a week for three months.<BR>The results obtained were as follows:<BR>1) The values of VO<SUB>2</SUB>max tended to be increased in both groups. The value of back strength in the ordinary adult lumbago patients became significantly higher than the basal value.<BR>2) Lumbago treatment score as assessed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOS-score) and the results of the spinal function test (K-W test) were improved significantly in both groups of patients.<BR>3) The values of knee flection and extension strength in the ordinary adult lumbago patients became significantly higher than the basal values, however, in the athletes with lumbago, became only the knee flection strength became significantly higher than the basal value.<BR>4) The results of the spinal function test (K-W test) and all muscle strength tests in athletes with lumbago were improved to a greater extent than in the ordinary adult lumbago patients.<BR>The present results suggest that lumbago can be significantly improved after three months of underwater exercise compared with that at the start of the exercise program in both ordinary adults and athletes with lumbago.