A comparison between quadriceps muscle strengthening on land and in water: a study on young females
Date
2014-03-24
Authors
Petrick, Monika
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Abstract
A study on young, healthy females was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of a progressive resistance quadriceps muscle strengthening programme in water to one performed on land. The water (n = 19) and the land (n = 18) groups exercised five
times a week for eight weeks, according to a modified DeLorme protocol, while the control (n = 16) group did not exercise.All three groups underwent isokinetic testing for their knee
flexors and extensors at weeks 0, 4 and 8 at the speeds of 60°/s and 270°/s. The water and land groups had their 10 Repetition Maximum (10 RM) measured before and at weekly intervals during the trial. Questionnaires were completed before, during and at
the end of the trial.
There was no significant difference between the water and the land exercise groups on isokinetic or 10 RM testing. However,the land group experienced a significant reduction in comfort while exercising as the exercise weights became heavier, while the water group remained comfortable throughout. Although there was no significant difference in the number of subjects complaining c F post-exercise muscle soreness, those with muscle
soreness in the water group had more severe muscle soreness.Significantly more subjects in the land group complained of pain while exercising than the water group. Progressive resistance exercise for quadriceps strengthening can thus be done as effectively in water (using home-made water weights) as on land.
Isotonic testing (10 RH) showed significant strengthening of both groups each week (except for week 1 to week 2 in the land group) whereas isokinetic testing showed no increase in strength, power or endurance of the exercised leg at 60°/s over eight weeks. Some significant increases were seen at 270°/s in the land and control groups over eight weeks, probably as a result of familiarisation to the test procedure.
There was no correlation between the 10 RM and peak extension torque or extension work of the exercised leg at 60°/s before,during or at the end of the trial. Isokinetic testing does not seem to be ideal following isotonic muscle strengthening in
this population.