Abstract
The aim of this study was to verify the effects of a 24-week water-based aerobic exercise on flexibility of the lower back and hamstring muscles, and the lower extremity muscle strength level of elderly women. The study included 37 women at an average age of 67.2 +- 4.8 years who attended the Lukáš Senior Club in Prague 13.
Participants were divided into the experimental and control group. The experimental group (n = 21) completed an organized water-based group exercise program.
The control group (n = 16) did not participate in the physical program. The level of joint mobility was assessed by the trunk forward flexion test in a sitting position (Sit and Reach Test).
The lower extremity muscle strength level was measured by the 30-Second Chair Stand Test. This study discovered that upon completing the intervention program in the water, the experimental group achieved improvement in the results of the sit-and-reach test by 1.8 cm (i.e. by 8.49 %, p < 0.05).
The control group achieved smaller improvement - by 1.7 cm (i.e. by 7.46 %), yet this improvement is not statistically significant. Upon completing the physical program in the water, the muscle strength of both groups increased.
There weren't statistically significant differences between the groups, yet a better result was observed in the experimental group than in the control group. The experimental group exhibited the improvement by 24.1 %, while the control group by 20.67 % (p < 0.01).
The physical program in the water seems to be a safe and effective way of increasing the functional condition of musculoskeletal system during activities of daily living (ADL) of elderly women.