EFFECTIVENESS OF ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION AQUATIC PROGRAM ON STRENGTH ANDRANGE OF MOTION IN WOMEN WITH ARTHRITIS

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of Arthritis Fou ndation Aquatic Program (AFAP) exercises on strength and range of moti on (ROM) measures in women with arthritis. Exercise group (EX) subject s (n = 17)trained three times a week for 6 weeks in AFAP classes. Pre- and posttest isometric strength and ROM tests were conducted on shoul der and hip abduction movements on both limbs. For hip abduction, EX s ubjects made significant increases in isometric strength and ROM measu res ranging from 13.0 to 17.0%. No significant changes in strength or ROM measures for shoulder abduction were found for the EX group. The c ontrol group (n = 10) demonstrated no significant changes in isometric or ROM measures for either joint test. The basic 6-week AFAP protocol appears sufficient to induce strength and ROM changes in joints affec ted by arthritis but may not be sufficient to induce similar changes f or joint motions not affected by arthritis.