title: Effects of a dance-based aquatic exercise program in obese postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of a dance-based aquatic exercise program on functionality, cardiorespiratory capacity, postexercise heart rate, and fatigue in obese postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial was performed. In all, 34 obese women diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis participated. Women were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 17). Participants in the experimental group were included in an 8-week dance-based aquatic exercise program conducted in community swimming pools. Those in the control group underwent a global aquatic exercise program. The primary outcome measure was functionality assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes were cardiorespiratory capacity evaluated with the 6-minute walk test, and postexercise heart rate and fatigue assessed using a visual analog scale. Variables were measured at baseline, after the intervention, and at 3-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A between-group analysis showed significant postintervention differences in functionality (aggregate postintervention WOMAC score of 37.30 ± 16.61 vs 41.83 ± 13.69; P = 0.048) in favor of the experimental group. In addition, significant between-group differences were found after the 8 weeks in cardiorespiratory capacity, postexercise heart rate, and fatigue. Follow-up continued to show significant differences between groups in function (aggregate WOMAC score of 38.60 ± 13.61 vs 42.60 ± 9.05; P = 0.038), postexercise heart rate, and fatigue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An 8-week dance-based exercise program significantly improved function and cardiorespiratory capacity, and decreased postexercise heart rate and fatigue. Most of these improvements were maintained at 3-month follow-up in obese postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casilda-López
authors.forename: Marie Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Valenza
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cabrera-Martos
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Díaz-Pelegrina
authors.forename: Maria Paz
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Moreno-Ramírez
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valenza-Demet
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D003614:Dance Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017698:Postmenopause; D013550:Swimming; D016896:Treatment Outcome