High-intensity aquatic exercises (HydrOS) improve physical function and reduce falls among postmenopausal women.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the effects of an aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) on neuromuscular function and falls among postmenopausal women.
Results Summary
The aquatic exercise program significantly reduced falls and improved neuromuscular function, including flexibility, balance, mobility, and muscle strength, in postmenopausal women. The control group showed minor improvements, likely due to vitamin D supplementation.
Population
Postmenopausal women (mean age 58.8 years).
Effective Dosage
Aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) for 24 weeks; calcium 500 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1,000 IU/day for both groups.
Duration
24 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
elementary calcium 500 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1,000 IU/day | increase | Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D | postmenopausal women | 21% | significantly increased | #1 |
elementary calcium 500 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1,000 IU/day | increase | Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D | postmenopausal women | 23% | significantly increased | #2 |
aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) | decrease | mean number of falls | postmenopausal women | from 2.00 to 0.29 | decreased | #3 |
aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) | decrease | number of fallers | postmenopausal women | 44% | decreased | #4 |
aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) | increase | flexibility (FLEX) | postmenopausal women | 26.6% | significantly improved | #5 |
aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) | increase | static balance (UST) | postmenopausal women | 14.1% | significantly improved | #6 |
aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) | decrease | mobility (TUG) | postmenopausal women | 23.7% | significantly improved | #7 |
aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) | increase | handgrip strength (HGS) | postmenopausal women | 13.4% | significantly improved | #8 |
aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) | increase | maximal isometric strength of back extensor muscles (SBE) | postmenopausal women | 26.2% | significantly improved | #9 |
aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) | increase | strength of hip flexor muscles (SHF) | postmenopausal women | 18.5% | significantly improved | #10 |
aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) | increase | strength of knee extensor muscles (SKE) | postmenopausal women | 7.7% | significantly improved | #11 |
elementary calcium 500 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1,000 IU/day | no change | number of falls and fallers | postmenopausal women | - | remained unchanged | #12 |
elementary calcium 500 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1,000 IU/day | increase | flexibility (FLEX) | postmenopausal women | 12.2% | significantly improved | #13 |
elementary calcium 500 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1,000 IU/day | increase | static balance (UST) | postmenopausal women | 4.5% | significantly improved | #14 |
elementary calcium 500 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1,000 IU/day | decrease | mobility (TUG) | postmenopausal women | 10% | significantly improved | #15 |
elementary calcium 500 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1,000 IU/day | increase | strength of hip flexor muscles (SHF) | postmenopausal women | 5.7% | significantly improved | #16 |
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effects of an aquatic exercise program (HydrOS) on neuromuscular function and falls among postmenopausal women. METHODS: One hundred eight postmenopausal women (mean [SD] age, 58.8 [6.4] y) were randomly divided into the control group (CG; n = 44) and the aquatic exercise group (AEG; n = 64). Both groups received elementary calcium 500 mg/day and cholecalciferol 1,000 IU/day. For 24 weeks, the AEG participated in the aquatic exercise program, whereas the CG remained sedentary. The following variables were measured before and after the program: number of falls and fallers (7 mo before and after the intervention); flexibility, using Wells' Sit-and-Reach Test (FLEX); static balance, using the Unipedal Stance Test (UST); mobility, using the Timed-Up-and-Go test (TUG); handgrip strength of the dominant hand (HGS); and maximal isometric strength of back extensor muscles (SBE), strength of hip flexor muscles (SHF), and strength of knee extensor muscles (SKE). The muscle strength tests were considered the primary outcome, whereas the other neuromuscular tests, together with falls, were considered secondary outcomes. Results were significant when P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D significantly increased by 21% in the CG and by 23% in the AEG (P < 0.001). The number of falls and fallers after the program remained unchanged in the CG; in the AEG, the mean number of falls decreased from 2.00 to 0.29 (P < 0.0001), and the number of fallers decreased by 44% (P < 0.0001). All neuromuscular variables significantly improved in the AEG: FLEX (26.6%; P < 0.0001), UST (14.1%; P < 0.001), TUG (23.7%; P < 0.001), HGS (13.4%; P < 0.001), SBE (26.2%; P < 0.001), SHF (18.5%; P = 0.039), and SKE (7.7%; P < 0.001). In the CG, significant improvements in FLEX (12.2%; P = 0.009), UST (4.5%; P < 0.001), TUG (10%; P < 0.001), and SHF (5.7%; P = 0.039) were observed and could be explained by increasing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level attributable to supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: The aquatic exercise program HydrOS is a safe and efficient way to improve physical function and to reduce falls among postmenopausal women.