Impact of the S.W.E.A.T.™ water-exercise method on activities of daily living for older women

Older women may have chronic or age-related conditions that increase the risk of falls or that limit their ability to remain active. it is unclear if a water-based exercise program provides a safe and effective alternative to land-based exercise. the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a water-based exercise program method on land-based functional activities of daily living (adl) for women 60 years and older. this study used a quasi-experimental,nonequivalent control group design. sixty-six women (60-89 yr of age) self-selected to a water exercise (wex) group (n = 48) or control (c) group (n = 18). the training consisted of a 16-week (45 min.day-1,3 d·wk-1) supervised wex program that included 10 min of warm-up and warm down/stretching and 35 min training using the s.w.e.a.t.™ method in shallow water 1.0-1.2 m,with water temperature approximately 28-29°c. participants were required to attend at least 94% of the sessions. assessments for participants included adl functional field tests. in comparison to the c group,wex participants improved (p < 0.05) flexibility (8%),sit-to-stand (31%),walking speed (16%) and stride length (10%),agility (20%),stair climb (22%),arm curl (39%),and static (42-48%) balance,but not dynamic balance. results indicate that the s.w.e.a.t.™ method applied to this water exercise program provides a well-rounded,safe,and effective exercise program where older women can improve functional adl and static balance. ©journal of sports science and medicine.