Physiological comparisons between aquatic resistance training protocols with and without equipment.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the physiological responses of oxygen uptake (VO(2)) and energy expenditure (EE) in two different aquatic resistance training protocols performed with three sets of 20 seconds (3 × 20) and six sets of 10 seconds (6 × 10) and with and without Speedo Resistance Equipment. Ten young healthy women volunteers, familiar with exercises in an aquatic environment, participated in this study. The four separate protocols were randomly selected and performed at a 48-hour interval by the same instructor. The total time of the 3 × 20 protocol was 34 minutes and that of the 6 × 10 protocol was 43 minutes, and all exercises were performed at maximal speed and amplitude. Although the protocols had different total times, they included one minute of stimulus per muscle group and the same time intervals. EE(gross) and EE(net) values were higher in the 6 × 10 protocol than in the 3 × 20 one. The variables VO(2) and EE(min) did not present significant difference between the protocols. VO(2), EE(gross), EE(net) and EE(min) values were higher when the equipment was used (W situation) than when it was not (WO situation). In the postexercise analysis, the W situation also showed higher VO(2) and EE(gross) values than the WO situation. Therefore, this study suggests the use of Speedo Resistance Equipment to increase VO(2) and EE, and it also suggests lengthier aquatic resistance training to obtain greater EE values per session.

Treinamento de força no meio aquático em mulheres jovens / Aquatic strength training in young women

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o efeito de um treinamento de força no meio aquático (TFA) na força muscular de mulheres jovens saudáveis. O grupo treinamento de força (GTF, n=13) realizou o treinamento por onze semanas enquanto o grupo controle (GC, n=7) não realizou nenhum exercício físico regular durante esse período. O TFA consistiu em duas sessões semanais de 50 minutos, sendo a parte principal da sessão organizada em forma de circuito. A força máxima dinâmica (FM) foi mensurada através do teste de uma repetição máxima em sete exercícios de força. Utilizou-se o teste t pareado para a comparação entre as situações pré e pós-treinamento (p<0,05). O GTF demonstrou um aumento significativo (p<0,001) na FM em todos os exercícios avaliados sendo que esse aumentos variaram de 12,53 ± 9,28% a 25,90 ± 17,84%. Já o GC não apresentou alterações significativas da FM em nenhum exercício. Dessa forma, é possível recomendar treinamentos de força no meio aquático de onze semanas como um método alternativo e eficaz para a melhora da força muscular de mulheres jovens e saudáveis.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of an aquatic strength training (AST) upon muscle strength in young and healthy women. The aquatic training group (ATG, n=13) trained during eleven weeks and the control group (CG, n=7) did not practice any exercise throughout this period. The AST was performed twice a week for 50 minutes and the main part was performed in circuit form. The maximum dynamic strength (MS) was evaluated by the one repetition maximum test in seven strength exercises. The paired t test was used to compare the situations pre and post training (p<0.05). The AST showed a significant increase (p<0.001) in MS in all exercises and the increases ranged between 12.53 ± 9.28% to 25.90 ± 17.84%. No significant changes were observed in the CG. In general ways, we may recommend aquatic strength training of eleven weeks as an alternative and effective method to increase muscle strength in health and young women.