The Impact of an Aquatic Exercise Protocol on Physiologic Measures Within an Asthmatic Population

• Published in: International journal of aquatic research and education (Champaign, Ill.) Ill.), 2011-11, Vol.5 (4), p.378-388
• Main Authors: Hildenbrand, Kasee, Freson, Timothy S., Barbosa-Leiker, Celestina, Nordio, Sara, Becker, Bruce E., Miller, Ashley J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1932-9253; 1932-9997; 1932-9253
• DOI: 10.25035/ijare.05.04.05

Individuals suffering from asthma typically have subnormal exercise tolerance and poor physical fitness. The purpose of this case series study was to examine the impact of a new aquatic exercise protocol on physiological variables in a group of asthmatics. Participants were medically diagnosed and managed asthmatics in a rural community. A total of 8 males and 12 females were accepted into the study with 7 males and 9 females completing the 12-week study. Physiological measures were taken pre- and posttreatment with paired t-tests used for analyses. Increases in V02max, pretreatment mean (M) = 31.244 SD = 9.772; post-treatment M = 33.431, SD = 10.387; partial c2 = 0.257, p < 0.038; lean body muscle mass, pretreatment M = 119.606, SD = 28.210; posttreatment M = 122.012, SD = 30.475; partial C2 = 0.237, p < 0.047; and blood glucose, pretreatment M = 83.937, SD = 7.584; post-treatment M = 89.812, SD = 7.799; partial C2 = 0.603, p < 0.000, were seen from pre- to posttreatment. The exercise protocol was successful as seen by the increase in V02max and lean body mass. The protocol was well tolerated and enjoyed by the participants suggesting it is useful in the asthmatic population. Our results predicted a need for larger sample sizes in future research ranging from 8 to 218 participants depending upon the dependent measure.