Effects of aquatic exercise on pulmonary function in healthy Thai subjects

Abstract

Background : Aquatic exercise is an important exercise for people who want to be strong. The warmth and pressure of the water may further assist pain relief, swelling reduction, and ease the physical movement. However, in Thailand no researcher has studied the effects of aquatic exercise on pulmonary function.

Objective : This study is aimed to compare the forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory in one second (FEV1) before (week 0), and immediately after the completion of the aquatic exercise program (week 6) in healthy Thai subjects.

Setting : The Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University.

Design : Experimental Study.

Method : Forty-four subjects were divided into two groups. The average age of the control group or no aquatic exercise (n = 22) was 43.1 ± 9.8 years of age, while that of the experimental group or aquatic exercise group (n = 22) was 46.1 ± 11.4 years. Both groups had their baseline characteristics, FVC and FEV1 before (0 week) and immediately after aquatic exercise program was completed (6 weeks).

Results : FVC of control group before and after were 1.9 + 0.4 and 1.8 + 0.4 liters and FEV1 before and after were 1.5 + 0.3 and 1.5 + 0.2 liters, respectively. FVC and FEV1 of the control group were insignificantly different, when the results of the before and immediately after program completion were compared. FVC of experimental group before and after were 1.9 + 0.4 and 2.1 + 0.3 liters and FEV1 before and after were 1.5 + 0.5 and 1.7 + 0.5 liters, respectively. Nevertheless, after the program was completed, the experimental group had significantly greater FVC (p = 0.025) and FEV1 (p = 0.031) than the corresponding control group. In addition, the results showed significant differences (p = 0.039; p = 0.031) in FVC and FEV1 between before and after 6 weeks of aquatic exercise.

Conclusion : In conclusion, the results of this study imply effects of aquatic exercise on the improvement of lung capacity. Thus, it may be applied in individuals with restrictive pulmonary conditions. However, the study was conducted in normal subjects. Therefore, further study on effects of aquatic exercise in patients with restrictive pulmonary conditions is valuable. In addition, the study on effects of aquatic exercise on pulmonary function of different genders may expand the results of aquatic exercise.