Effects of high intensity resistance aquatic training on body composition and walking speed in women with mild knee osteoarthritis: a 4-month RCT with 12-month follow-up.
Study Goal
To investigate the effects of 4-months intensive aquatic resistance training on body composition and walking speed in post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis, including long-term follow-up and the influence of leisure time physical activity.
Results Summary
The intervention group showed significant decreases in fat mass and increases in walking speed after 4 months, with walking speed improvements maintained at 12 months. Higher leisure time physical activity was associated with greater fat mass loss.
Population
Post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis
Effective Dosage
48 supervised intensive aquatic resistance training sessions over 4 months
Duration
4 months (intervention), 12 months (follow-up)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4-months intensive aquatic resistance training | decrease | fat mass | post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis | -1.17 kg; 95% CI: -2.00 to -0.43 | significant decrease | #1 |
4-months intensive aquatic resistance training | increase | walking speed | post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis | 0.052 m/s; 95% CI: 0.018 to 0.086 | increase | #2 |
4-months intensive aquatic resistance training | no change | body composition | post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis | - | returned to baseline | #3 |
4-months intensive aquatic resistance training | increase | increased walking speed | post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis | 0.046 m/s; 95% CI 0.006 to 0.086 | was maintained | #4 |
4-months intensive aquatic resistance training | no change | lean mass | post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis | - | No change was seen | #5 |
4-months intensive aquatic resistance training | no change | knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) | post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis | - | No change was seen | #6 |
Daily leisure time physical activity (LTPA) over the 16-months | decrease | fat mass loss | post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis | - | had a significant effect | #7 |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 4-months intensive aquatic resistance training on body composition and walking speed in post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis (OA), immediately after intervention and after 12-months follow-up. Additionally, influence of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) will be investigated. DESIGN: This randomised clinical trial assigned eighty-seven volunteer postmenopausal women into two study arms. The intervention group (n = 43) participated in 48 supervised intensive aquatic resistance training sessions over 4-months while the control group (n = 44) maintained normal physical activity. Eighty four participants continued into the 12-months' follow-up period. Body composition was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Walking speed over 2 km and the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) were measured. LTPA was recorded with self-reported diaries. RESULTS: After the 4-month intervention there was a significant decrease (P = 0.002) in fat mass (mean change: -1.17 kg; 95% CI: -2.00 to -0.43) and increase (P = 0.002) in walking speed (0.052 m/s; 95% CI: 0.018 to 0.086) in favour of the intervention group. Body composition returned to baseline after 12-months. In contrast, increased walking speed was maintained (0.046 m/s; 95% CI 0.006 to 0.086, P = 0.032). No change was seen in lean mass or KOOS. Daily LTPA over the 16-months had a significant effect (P = 0.007) on fat mass loss (f CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that high intensity aquatic resistance training decreases fat mass and improves walking speed in post-menopausal women with mild knee OA. Only improvements in walking speed were maintained at 12-months follow-up. Higher levels of LTPA were associated with fat mass loss. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN65346593.