Effects of aquatic resistance training on neuromuscular performance in healthy women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a progressive 10-wk aquatic resistance training on neuromuscular performance and muscle mass of the knee extensors and flexors in healthy women.


METHODS
Twenty-four healthy women (34.2 +/- 3.9 yr) were randomly assigned into aquatic exercise (N = 12) and control group (N = 12). Maximum knee extension and flexion torques were measured isometrically and at constant angular velocities of 60 degrees x s(-1) and 180 degrees x s(-1) (isokinetic) with simultaneous electromyography (EMG) recordings of the quadriceps and hamstrings. The lean muscle mass (LCSA) of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles was determined by computed tomography scanning.


RESULTS
Significant interaction of group by time was observed in each of the measured parameters. The change in extension and flexion isometric/isokinetic torque varied between 8 and 13% and in EMGs between 10 and 27% in the exercise group. The change in the quadriceps LCSA of the exercise group was 4% and in hamstrings 5.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study showed that 10 wk of progressive aquatic resistance training resulted in significant improvement in muscle torque of the knee extensors and flexors accompanied with proportional improvement in neural activation and with significant increase in the LCSA of the trained muscles. Aquatic training can be recommended for neuromuscular conditioning in healthy persons.
Pöyhönen
Tapani
T
University of Jyväskylä, Department of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 35, FIN-40351 Jyväskylä, Finland. tapani.poyhonen@kymshp.fi
Sipilä
Sarianna
S
Keskinen
Kari L
KL
Hautala
Arto
A
Savolainen
Jukka
J
Mälkiä
Esko
E
D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D016387:Women's Health