EFFECT OF LAND-BASED AND WATER-BASED FITNESS-PROGRAMS ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS, STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY OF WOMEN AGED 65-75 YEARS

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a gene ralized water-based exercise program (WEE) compared to a land-based ex ercise program (LEE) on improving cardiorespiratory fitness, body comp osition, forward trunk flexion and strength measurements of elderly wo men aged 70 +/- 3.2 years (mean +/- SD). Forty-one healthy, sedentary women were selected to participate in the study and were randomly assi gned to the LEE or WBE. The 2 groups exercised for 12 weeks, 3 times/w eek for 45 min. Fitness testing was done before, during and after trai ning, and included measurements of peak aerobic power (VO2 peak), forw ard trunk flexion, sum of skinfolds, grip strength, curl-ups and push- ups. Between the tests performed before and after training, there were significant improvements in VO2 peak in both groups (p < 0.05) with n o significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). The LEE group also showed a significant improvement in the total number of curl-ups performed (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in trunk forward flexion, total (right plus left) grip strength, push-ups, wais t to hip ratio, sum of skinfolds or body mass index between the tests performed before and after training over time within groups or between groups (p > 0.05). The results show that general exercise interventio ns resulted in improvements in cardiovascular fitness (for both groups ) and abdominal endurance (in the LEE only), but the two exercise prog rams used were not specific enough or long enough to cause improvement s in muscular strength, flexibility or body composition. Furthermore, except for changes in abdominal endurance, the type of exercise venue (land vs. water) did not have a significant effect on the results obta ined.