Walking in Water Proven to Ease Arthritis Pain

New water exercise protocol is the right prescription to feel better.

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Aug 06, 2014, 09:55 ET

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- High intensity intervals or HIT training in water is good for you, so says a new research study.

No other land-based training has been able to successfully implement high-intensity aerobic workouts for patients with osteoarthritis, likely because the aquatic environment created a reduced fear of falling, lowered joint loads, and provided three-dimensional support to help maintain balance. This study provides an evidence-based protocol that is effective at managing symptoms of OA. (PRNewsFoto/National Swimming Pool...)

Results of a significant new study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research are opening the door for 27 million osteoarthritis (OA) patients who can use high intensity aquatic exercise for regular physical activity to better manage their arthritis. The landmark study, led by Eadric Bressel, Ph.D., professor and clinical research scientist at Utah State University, means that millions of people with arthritis can enjoy an improved quality of life with less stress and worry often associated with pain and risk of falling. Greater confidence and reduced fear will help them attain better physical condition, resulting in more comfortably participating in normal, every day activities with co-workers, friends and family.

"Having osteoarthritis patients walking against a systematically high and low resistance in water resulted in significant reduction in pain, improved mobility, balance and function," said Dr. Bressel. This same kind of high intensity interval training on land would be unfathomable because of the load-elicited pain," he added.

No other land-based training has been able to successfully implement high-intensity aerobic workouts for patients with osteoarthritis, likely because the aquatic environment created a reduced fear of falling, lowered joint loads, and provided three-dimensional support to help maintain balance. This study provides an evidence-based protocol that is effective at managing symptoms of OA.

It is commonly accepted that aquatic exercise is helpful to those living with arthritis. This new study, incorporating high intensity, interval aquatic training, demonstrates that even better outcomes can be attained, offering hope to the 27 million Americans who suffer. Additionally, more than a quarter of a million Americans will turn 65 each month; 50 percent will develop some form of OA, according to the CDC.

"Everyone can find a pool. Millions of people with arthritis can maintain better health just by walking and running in water. As they get stronger, they may feel more confident to exercise on land, too," commented Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D., CEO of non-profit National Swimming Pool Foundation, who funded the study.

An aquatic treadmill was used to test the hypothesis of the benefit of High Intensity Aquatic training for OA patients, which allowed researchers to maintain a high level of control and produce the same energy demands as equivalent to land-based exercise.

The design of the study was a single-group double pretest posttest design whereby participants completed a 4-week non-exercise control period followed by a 6-week aquatic exercise intervention period.

Participants all had osteoarthritis and underwent three training sessions on the aquatic treadmill per week, in a pool. Joint pain, balance, function, and mobility were tested before and after exercise and non-exercise conditions.

In comparison with pretests, participants displayed reduced joint pain and improved balance, function and mobility. The same benefits were not observed after the non-exercise control period.

All participants completed the 6-week program with 100 percent exercise adherence. No one reported adverse effects beyond typical mild-to-moderate muscle fatigue and soreness associated with high-intensity interval training.

Motor functions and static balance also improved during the course of the study, with participants able to stand from a seated position more easily, lunge more quickly on one leg, and walk on land with greater speed. In fact, after the completion of the six weeks, participants' gait speed was nearly identical to that of those without osteoarthritis.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Thomas Lachocki, Ph.D
http://www.profnetconnect.com/thomas_lachocki_ph.d

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
Eadric Bressel
http://www.profnetconnect.com/eadricbressel

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SOURCE National Swimming Pool Foundation