Relationship between Oxygen Uptake, Heart Rate, and Perceived Effort in an Aquatic Incremental Test in Older Women.

Different parameters can be used to control the intensity of aerobic exercises, a choice that should consider the population and exercise environment targeted. Therefore, our study aimed to verify the relationship between oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and cadence during an aquatic incremental test in older women. Nine older women (64.3 ± 4.4 years) engaged in a water-based aerobic training performed an aquatic incremental test using the stationary running exercise (cadence increases of 15 b·min-1 every 2 min) until participants' volitional exhaustion. VO2, HR, and RPE data were measured, and the percentage of peak VO2 (%VO2peak) and percentage of maximal HR (%HRmax) were calculated. Linear and polynomial regression analyses were performed (α = 0.05). Polynomial regressions revealed the best adjustments for all analyses. Data showed a significant relationship (p < 0.001) between %VO2peak and %HRmax (r = 0.921), %VO2peak and RPE (r = 0.870), and %HRmax and RPE (r = 0.878). Likewise, significant relationships between cadence (p < 0.001) and %VO2peak (r = 0.873), %HRmax (r = 0.874), and RPE (r = 0.910) were also observed. In summary, the physiological, subjective, and mechanical variables investigated were highly associated during an aquatic incremental test to exhaustion in older women. Therefore, these different parameters can be employed to adequately prescribe water-based programs according to preference and availability.

[Water aerobics as a means for the prenatal correction in the case of breech presentation of the fetus]. / Akvaaérobika kak sredstvo dorodovoi korrektsii pri tazovom predlezhanii ploda.

BACKGROUND: The delivery of the fetus in breech presentation remains one of the most serious challenge for obstetricians. In the cases of pregnancy of more than 29 weeks, it is recommended to carry out the activities aimed at translating breech presentation into cephalic presentation by means of the external preventive rotation of the fetus to the head with the use various complexes of gymnastic exercises as well as other methods applied for the correction of the abnormal fetal presentation including water aerobics. AIM: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the method for the prenatal correction of the pathological presentation of the fetus based on the use of the water aerobics procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 100 women at the age from 21 to 38 years presenting with the purely gluteal presentation of the fetus in 83 cases, the transverse presentation in 14 cases, the footling presentation in 2 cases, and the slanting presentation in 1 one case. To prepare women for the childbirth at the direction of the attending doctor and under the guidance of an instructor a complex of water aerobics exercises was employed. RESULTS: The successful prenatal correction of fetal presentation with the use of water aerobics exercises was achieved in 83 cases. In these women, pregnancy ended in the delivery through the natural birth canal. In 17 cases, antenatal correction proved inefficient which was regarded as the indication for the planned operation of cesarean section. Fetal turnaround occurred after 2-3 sessions of water aerobics in 66.3% of the women, with the gestational age at the time of the version being 32-33 weeks in 81.9% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience of the work with pregnant women gives evidence of the high effectiveness of corrective water aerobics and allows to recommend the performance of external cephalic version with the use of this physiotherapeutic procedure for the application in the clinical practice.

Acute blood pressure response in hypertensive elderly women immediately after water aerobics exercise: A crossover study.

Water aerobics exercise is widely recommended for elderly people. However, little is known about the acute effects on hemodynamic variables. Thus, we assessed the effects of a water aerobic session on blood pressure in hypertensive elderly women. Fifty hypertensive elderly women aged 67.8 ± 4.1 years, 1.5 ± 0.6 m high and BMI 28.6 ± 3.9 kg/m2, participated in a crossover clinical trial. The experiment consisted of a 45-minute water aerobics session (70%-75% HRmax adjusted for the aquatic environment) (ES) and a control session (no exercise for 45 minutes) (CS). Heart rate was monitored using a heart rate monitor and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) measurements were taken using a semi-automatic monitor before and immediately after the sessions, and at 10, 20 and 30 minutes thereafter. It was using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) with Bonferroni's post-hoc test (p < 0.05). At the end of the experimental session, ES showed a rise in SBP of 17.4 mmHg (14.3%, p < 0.001) and DBP of 5.4 mmHg (7.8%, p < 0.001) compared to CS. At 10 minutes after exercise, BP declined in ES by a greater magnitude than in CS (SBP 7.5 mmHg, 6.2%, p = 0.005 and DBP 3.8 mmHg, 5.5%, p = 0.013). At 20 minutes after exercise and thereafter, SBP and DBP were similar in both ES and CS. In conclusion, BP returned to control levels within 10-20 minutes remaining unchanged until 30 minutes after exercise, and post-exercise hypotension was not observed. Besides, BP changed after exercise was a safe rise of small magnitude for hypertensive people.

Effects of regular physical exercises in the water on the metabolic profile of women with abdominal obesity.

Recreational physical exercise in the water is predominantly based on aerobic metabolism. Since it involves both carbohydrate and lipid sources of energy, aqua aerobics has a beneficial effect on metabolism of these substrates. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of a 3 month aqua aerobics training program on the metabolic profile of women with abdominal obesity. The study sample comprised 32 women aged 41-72 years. Somatic characteristics and variables characterizing carbohydrate and lipid metabolism were measured before the commencement and after the completion of the training program. During the 2nd measurement all mean anthropometric variables were found to be significantly lower (p≤0.01). In the blood lipid profile, the concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HOMAIR were significantly lower (p<0.01). Furthermore, the levels of fasting triglycerides, glucose and insulin were reduced significantly (p≤0.05) after the training program. The aqua aerobics program contributed to positive changes in lipid metabolism, anthropometric variables, as well as the fasting insulin, glucose levels and insulin resistance index in women with abdominal obesity.

A prática de atividades aquáticas na busca de harmonia biopsicossocial / The practice of aquatic activities in the search of biopsychosocial harmony

Este estudo teve como objetivo discutir a real capacidade que o Projeto Idoso, Natação e Saúde (PINS) da (UFSM) tem de estimular o hábito de atividades físicas, assim como caracterizar o bem-estar biopsicossocial dos idosos participantes. A amostra foi constituída por 132 idosos entre 60 a 84 anos. Foram encontrados 84,1% do sexo feminino, enquanto 15,9% do masculino todos praticantes de hidroginástica há pelo menos seis meses. O instrumento que se utilizou foi o questionário (BOAS, 1987), adaptado. Para análise dos dados, foi aplicada a plataforma Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, 13.0). A maior concentração, 75,7%, está na faixa etária de 60 a 74 anos, considerados idoso-jovens. Antes do projeto 15,2% já haviam praticado atividades aquáticas, enquanto que nos períodos de férias e greves 18,9% participaram em outros locais. Já as atividades físicas paralelas 60,6% dizem realizar; 67,4% ficaram sabendo do (PINS) por meio de amigos; 98,5% fizeram novas amizades e 97,7% afirmam conversar com colegas antes ou depois das aulas; 22% participam por um período superior a 5 anos. O principal motivo de participação 83,3% foi saúde, enquanto 72,8% consideram sua saúde boa/muito boa. O otimismo também está presente em relação à qualidade de vida, pois 90,1% a considera qualidade de vida boa/muito boa. O projeto alcançou a meta de estimular o hábito de atividade física em seus participantes, bem como auxiliar a combater a carência de contatos sociais que atinge esta faixa etária, proporcionando aos mesmos um ambiente de interação e formação de novas amizades. Contudo, também detectamos que o hábito da atividade física está estreitamente ligado às condições estruturais oferecidas pela sociedade a esses indivíduos. Nesse sentido, sendo a hidroginástica uma atividade que depende de uma estrutura física específica, o idoso com pouco poder aquisitivo terá maior dificuldade de ter acesso à mesma, quando não é disponibilizada pelos meios públicos.(AU)

This study aimed to discuss the real capacity of the Idoso, Natação e Saúde Project (PINS) [Elderly,Swimming and Health] from UFSM, to encourage the practice of exercises, as well as to characterize the biopsychosocial well-being of the elderly participants. The sample consisted of 132 elderly, from 60 to 84 years, 84.1% were female and 15.9% were ale, all gymnastics practicers for at least six months. The used instrument was the adapted questionnaire (BOAS, 1987). Data analysis was applied to the platform Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 13.0). The highest concentration, 75.7%, is aged from 60 to 74 years, considered old-young. Before the project, 15.2% of the participants had practiced water activities, while during holiday periods and 18.9% participated in strikes elsewhere. Since physical activity 60.6% said parallel conduct, 67.4% were aware of (PIN) through friends, new friends made 98.5% and 97.7% say they talk with colleagues before or after school; 22% participate for a period exceeding five years. The main reason for participation was 83.3% health, while 72.8% consider their health as good/very good. The optimism is also present in relation to quality of life, since 90.1% considered their quality of life as good/very good. The project achieved the goal of encouraging the habit of physical activity on its participants, as well as helping to combat the lack of social contacts that reaches this age, giving them an environment to interact and form new friendships. However, we also detected that the habit of physical activity is closely linked to structural conditions offered by society to those individuals. Thus, as a water aerobics activity that depends on a specific physical structure, the elderly with low purchasing power are more difficult to have access to it when it is not made available by public means.(AU)

A prática de atividades aquáticas na busca de harmonia biopsicossocial / The practice of aquatic activities in the search of biopsychosocial harmony

Este estudo teve como objetivo discutir a real capacidade que o Projeto Idoso, Natação e Saúde (PINS) da (UFSM) tem de estimular o hábito de atividades físicas, assim como caracterizar o bem-estar biopsicossocial dos idosos participantes. A amostra foi constituída por 132 idosos entre 60 a 84 anos. Foram encontrados 84,1% do sexo feminino, enquanto 15,9% do masculino todos praticantes de hidroginástica há pelo menos seis meses. O instrumento que se utilizou foi o questionário (BOAS, 1987), adaptado. Para análise dos dados, foi aplicada a plataforma Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, 13.0). A maior concentração, 75,7%, está na faixa etária de 60 a 74 anos, considerados idoso-jovens. Antes do projeto 15,2% já haviam praticado atividades aquáticas, enquanto que nos períodos de férias e greves 18,9% participaram em outros locais. Já as atividades físicas paralelas 60,6% dizem realizar; 67,4% ficaram sabendo do (PINS) por meio de amigos; 98,5% fizeram novas amizades e 97,7% afirmam conversar com colegas antes ou depois das aulas; 22% participam por um período superior a 5 anos. O principal motivo de participação 83,3% foi saúde, enquanto 72,8% consideram sua saúde boa/muito boa. O otimismo também está presente em relação à qualidade de vida, pois 90,1% a considera qualidade de vida boa/muito boa. O projeto alcançou a meta de estimular o hábito de atividade física em seus participantes, bem como auxiliar a combater a carência de contatos sociais que atinge esta faixa etária, proporcionando aos mesmos um ambiente de interação e formação de novas amizades. Contudo, também detectamos que o hábito da atividade física está estreitamente ligado às condições estruturais oferecidas pela sociedade a esses indivíduos. Nesse sentido, sendo a hidroginástica uma atividade que depende de uma estrutura física específica, o idoso com pouco poder aquisitivo terá maior dificuldade de ter acesso à mesma, quando não é disponibilizada pelos meios públicos.

This study aimed to discuss the real capacity of the Idoso, Natação e Saúde Project (PINS) [Elderly,Swimming and Health] from UFSM, to encourage the practice of exercises, as well as to characterize the biopsychosocial well-being of the elderly participants. The sample consisted of 132 elderly, from 60 to 84 years, 84.1% were female and 15.9% were ale, all gymnastics practicers for at least six months. The used instrument was the adapted questionnaire (BOAS, 1987). Data analysis was applied to the platform Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 13.0). The highest concentration, 75.7%, is aged from 60 to 74 years, considered old-young. Before the project, 15.2% of the participants had practiced water activities, while during holiday periods and 18.9% participated in strikes elsewhere. Since physical activity 60.6% said parallel conduct, 67.4% were aware of (PIN) through friends, new friends made 98.5% and 97.7% say they talk with colleagues before or after school; 22% participate for a period exceeding five years. The main reason for participation was 83.3% health, while 72.8% consider their health as good/very good. The optimism is also present in relation to quality of life, since 90.1% considered their quality of life as good/very good. The project achieved the goal of encouraging the habit of physical activity on its participants, as well as helping to combat the lack of social contacts that reaches this age, giving them an environment to interact and form new friendships. However, we also detected that the habit of physical activity is closely linked to structural conditions offered by society to those individuals. Thus, as a water aerobics activity that depends on a specific physical structure, the elderly with low purchasing power are more difficult to have access to it when it is not made available by public means.

The Effects of a Short-Term Novel Aquatic Exercise Program on Functional Strength and Performance of Older Adults.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a short-term novel multidimensional aquatic exercise program on functional abilities of healthy older adults. Twenty-six men and women (mean age 76.33 ± 5.55 years) were recruited and assigned to an aquatic- (n = 15) or land-based (n = 11) training group. The aquatic training group completed a multidimensional water exercise program that incorporated resistance training, functional exercise movements and rudimentary aquatic plyometric activities. The active control group participated in a supervised land-based fitness program. Each exercise intervention was conducted over an 8-week period (16 sessions of 30 - 40 minutes) with the training load progression adjusted equally between groups using the 6 - 20 Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE). Prior to and immediately following the intervention, both groups were evaluated with select components of the Senior Fitness Test. The 30-second chair stand, 30-second arm curl, and 8 foot up and go were selected as measures of strength and functional abilities. The results of an independent t-test indicated that the control and experimental groups were matched for functional abilities prior to the intervention. A 2 (group) × 2 (time) analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with repeated measures revealed significant differences in the pre- to post-testing measures for the aquatic training program for the arm curl (p < 0.01) and the 8 foot up and go (p = 0.02). Analysis of the active control revealed no pre-post differences for any measure. Thus, a short-term aquatic exercise program with multidimensional intervention strategies will significantly enhance functional abilities in older adults when compared to a functionally matched active control group.