RESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of water exercise, including functional mobility in water, performed either once or twice a week in elderly who require nursing care. Twenty-one subjects were assigned to two groups. Ten subjects trained once a week for 6 months. Eleven subjects trained twice a week for 6 months. Water exercise consisted of warming up on land and walking,ADL exercise,resistance training, stretching and relaxation in water. Functional mobility was evaluated by FIM during pre-exercise,after 3 months and 6 months. There were significant improvements in functional mobility after 6 months compared to pre-exercise in both groups. Functional mobility in the group who trained once a week did not improve at 3 months compared to pre-exercise. Although the group who trained twice a week showed a dramatic improvement in functional mobility after 3 months compared to pre-exercise, and no change after 3 months compared to after 6 months. These results indicate that water exercise once or twice a week for 6 months, including functional mobility in elderly who require nursing care, can improve functional mobility, especially, exercise twice a week could improve it within 3 months.