Edema of pregnancy: a comparison of water aerobics and static immersion.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the edema-relieving effects of static immersion with water aerobics.


METHODS
Eighteen healthy women between 20 and 33 weeks' gestation were studied standing on land, immersed to the axilla, and participating in a water aerobics class, each for 30 minutes.


RESULTS
Water aerobics and the static immersion led to a similar diuresis, 187 and 180 mL, respectively. Both were significantly greater than standing 30 minutes on land, 65 mL (P < .01). The dilutional effect as measured by a decline in urine specific gravity was also similar between static immersion and water aerobics and greater than standing on land (P < .01). Standing on land led to a small increase in leg volume compared with water aerobics or static immersion (P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Water aerobics had diuretic and edema-relieving effects similar to static immersion. When women develop edema of pregnancy, water aerobics classes may be used as a potential treatment.
Kent
T
T
Sacred Heart Medical Center, Eugene, Oregon, USA.
Gregor
J
J
Deardorff
L
L
Katz
V
V
D000328:Adult; D004487:Edema / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007101:Immersion; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014867:Water
D014867:Water