Cardiorespiratory Responses to a 20-minute Shallow Water Tabata Style Workout

Abstract

Aquatic exercise (AE) continues to grow in popularity as an addition to, or alternative to landbased training 4,6,8. Recreational exercisers, athletes of varying levels, and the elderly use AE as part of their training regimen 4,9,10. Shallow water exercise (SWE) is performed with participants typically immersed from waist to axillary level 4,6,8. Because of water's greater density and dynamic viscosity, it offers more resistance to movement compared to an air medium 10. Furthermore, the buoyancy effect of water reduces impact forces on body tissues and joints. Participants can change intensity during SWE by manipulating speed, body surface area, force application, range of motion, and planes of movement 9 .