EFFECTS OF DEEP AND SHALLOW-WATER RUNNING ON SPINAL SHRINKAGE

Objectives-Running in water has the potential to decrease the compress ive forces on the spine as the body is supported, The aim of the study was to determine the magnitude of this loss in stature compared with running on land. Methods-Fourteen runners completed three 30 minute ru ns on separate days in deep water, shallow water, and on a motor drive n treadmill. During the three conditions, runners exercised at 80% of their exercise mode specific peak oxygen consumption, Subjects rested in the Fowler position for 20 minutes before and after exercise, Measu rements of changes in stature were taken before resting, before runnin g, after 15 minutes of running, after 30 minutes of running, and after the postexercise rest in the Fowler position. Changes in stature were recorded using a stadiometer accurate to 0.01 mm. Results-Loss of sta ture values were 4.59 (1.48), 5.51 (2.18), and 2.92 (1.7) mm (means (S D)) for running on the treadmill, and in shallow and deep water respec tively, Running in deep water caused significantly lower creep than in the other trials (p<0.05), with no difference between the shallow wat er and treadmill conditions. Loss of stature was greater in the first half of the run for all conditions (p<0.05), Ratings of perceived exer tion did not differ between the three exercise conditions. Conclusion- Results support the use of deep water running for decreasing the compr essive load an the spine.