Cardiorespiratory responses to underwater treadmill walking in healthy females

Abstract

This study compared the cardiorespiratory responses of eight healthy women (mean age 30.25 years) to submaximal exercise on land (LTm) and water treadmills (WTm) in chest-deep water (Aquaciser). In addition, the effects of two different water temperatures were examined (28 and 36 degrees C). Each exercise test consisted of three consecutive 5-min bouts at 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5 km x h(-1). Oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR), measured using open-circuit spirometry and telemetry, respectively, increased linearly with increasing speed both in water and on land. At 3.5 km x h(-1) VO2 was similar across procedures [chi = 0.6 (0.05) l x min(-1)]. At 4.5 and 5.5 km x h(-1) VO2 was significantly higher in water than on land, but there was no temperature effect (WTm: 0.9 and 1.4, respectively; LTm: 0.8 and 0.9 l x min(-1), respectively). HR was significantly higher in WTm at 36 degrees C compared to WTm at 28 degrees C at all speeds, and compared to LTm at 4.5 and 5.5 km x h(-1) (P < or = 0.003). The HR-VO2 relationship showed that at a VO2 of 0.9 l x min(-1) x HR was higher in water at 36 degrees C (115 beats x min[-1]) than either on land (100 beats min[-1]) or in water at 28 degrees C (99 beats x min[-1]). The Borg scale of perceived exertion showed that walking in water at 4.5 and 5.5 km x h(-1) was significantly harder than on land (WTm: 11.4 and 14, respectively; LTm: 9.9 and 11, respectively; P < or = 0.001). These cardiorespiratory changes occurred despite a slower cadence in water (the mean difference at all speeds was 27 steps/min). Thus, walking in chest-deep water yields higher energy costs than walking at similar speeds on land. This data has implications for therapists working in hydrotherapy pools.

Underwater Treadmill Exercise as a Potential Treatment for Adults With Osteoarthritis

“…This contention is supported by previous research, which indicated that walking at speeds less than 0.97 m/s, buoyancy dominates and less energy is expended in water than land because fluid resistance is relatively low due to low limb velocities (Hall et al, 2004). When speeds are greater than 0.97 m/s, limb velocities increase and fluid resistance may offset buoyancy and lead to similar energy expenditures during water and land treadmill exercise (Gleim & Nicholas, 1989;Hall et al, 2004;Hall et al, 1998;Rutledge et al, 2007). The results of the current study support this observation.…”

“…The authors are with the Utah State University Heath, PE, and Recreation Department in Logan, UT. of energy (Gleim & Nicholas, 1989;Hall, Macdonald, Maddison, & O'Hare, 1998) while still reducing stress and impact forces on the lower extremity joints (Barela & Duarte, 2008;Barela, Stolf, & Duarte, 2006).…”

“…Currently, the effectiveness of using an underwater treadmill as a therapy protocol in patients with OA has not been tested One of the challenges with prescribing underwater treadmill exercise in OA patients is determining a gait speed that may lead to therapeutic gains. Hall et al (1998) reported that at treadmill speeds of 1.25 and 1.53 m/s, oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) was greater in water than on land for healthy females; and when walking speeds are below 0.97 m/s, VO 2 values were lower in water than on land in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (Hall, Grant, Blake, Taylor, & Garbutt, 2004). Due to pain and other demobilizing factors of OA, it is unknown if OA patients will be able to produce the same VO 2 response on an underwater treadmill versus a land treadmill matched for speed.…”

The Effect of Water Depth on Energy Expenditure and Perception of Effort in Female Subjects While Walking

“…The majority of studies, utilizing the ATM or Flowmill devices investigating the cardiorespiratory effects of water walking, have selected the xiphoid level (Fujishima & Shimizu, 2003;Hall et al, 1998;Hall, Grant, Blake, Taylor, & Garbutt, 2004;Masumoto, Shono, Hotta, & Fujishima, 2008;Masumoto et al, 2009;Shono et al, 2000;Shono, Fujishima, Hotta, Ogaki, & Masumoto, 2001;Shono, Fujishima, Hotta, Ogaki, & Ueda, 2001;Shono et al, 2007). Perhaps this depth is considered by investigators and rehabilitation specialists to be a water depth that "balances" the buoyancy effect of water, reducing the stress on lower extremity joints with the added EE required due to drag forces associated with moving in water.…”

“…Although numerous studies have evaluated the metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses during ATM walking in still water (Gleim & Nicholas, 1989;Hall, Macdonald, Maddison, & O'Hare, 1998;Pohl & McNaughton, 2003) or with a water flume (Hotta, Muraoka et al, 1993;Hotta, Ogaki, Kanaya, & Hagiwara, 1993;Hotta, Ogaki, Kanaya, Fujishima, & Hagiwara, 1994;Hotta, Ogaki, Kanaya & Fujishima 1995;Migita et al, 1994;Migita, Hotta, Ogaki, Kanaya, Fujishima, & Masuda 1996;Shimizu, Kosaka, & Fujishima, 1998;Shono et al, 2000;Shono, Fujishima, Hotta, Ogaki, & Masumoto, 2001;Shono, Fujishima, Hotta, Ogaki, & Ueda, 2001), only two have evaluated the effect of manipulating water depth (Gleim & Nicholas, 1989;Pohl & McNaughton, 2003). Gleim and Nicholas (1989) contrasted walking rapidly at 6.44 kph in water depths of ankle, patella, midthigh, and umbilicus.…”