Oxygen Uptake, Muscle Activity and Ground Reaction Force during Water Aerobic Exercises

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the oxygen uptake (VO2), the muscle activity of lower limbs, and the vertical ground reaction force (V-GRF) of women performing water aerobic exercises at different intensities. 12 young women performed the experimental protocol, which consisted of 3 water exercises (stationary running [SR], frontal kick [FK] and cross country skiing [CCS]) at 3 intensities (first and second ventilatory thresholds and maximum effort). A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used. Regarding VO2, different responses between intensities (p<0.001) were found, and values between exercises were similar. For electromyographic activity (EMG), differences between intensities for all muscles (p<0.001) were found. Greater EMG signals were observed in the FK compared to SR for rectus femoris, semitendinosus, vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles (p<0.05). Regarding V-GRF, there was an increase in the V-GRF at greater intensities compared to the first ventilatory threshold (p=0.001). In addition, lower values were found during CCS compared to the SR and FK exercises (p<0.001). Thus, greater cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular responses were observed with increasing intensity. Exercises such as CCS could be used to attenuate the V-GRF; if the purpose is to reduce the muscular activity of lower limbs at a specific intensity, SR could be recommended.

The Role of Water-Based Exercise on Vertical Ground Reaction Forces in Overweight Children: A Pilot Study

“…Regarding the effect of cadence on the performance of the stationary running exercise, an increase in Fz peak was observed in the aquatic environment from 80 to 100 b min −1 , while no difference was found between 60 b min −1 and the other cadences (mean values ranging between 0.8-1.0 BW). These findings partially agree with previous studies that showed an increased Fz peak as submaximal cadence increased for different water-based stationary exercises [11,13,19,24,30,34]. This increase in Fz peak is likely related to the fact that as cadence increases, individuals need to apply a greater propulsive force to adequately overcome water resistance and promote the vertical propulsion of their bodies.…”

“…It is essential to highlight that all submaximal cadences employed in the studies above were equal to or greater than 80 b min −1 , resulting in Fz peak magnitudes of 0.9 to 1.1 BW in eutrophic young adults [11,17,24,34] and 0.5 to 0.8 BW in individuals typically characterized by changes in body composition, such as adult women with obesity [13], postmenopausal women [30], older women [31] and those with type 2 diabetes [19]. As we were investigating children, we chose to include a lower initial cadence (i.e., 60 b min −1 ); however, we observed that this exercise intensity seemed uncomfortable to the participants during the experimental sessions due to its slow pace.…”

Water‐based exercises in postmenopausal women: Vertical ground reaction force and oxygen uptake responses

“…. VO 2 and Fz data were collected between the 3rd and 4th minute in each condition (Alberton et al, 2014b).…”

Sports Injuries in High-Level Aerobic Gymnastics Athletes

“…Myer G D et al analyzed the sports injuries of high-level Competitive Aerobics Athletes in China in 2013 and concluded that the main injuries were muscle and ligament injuries, joint and cartilage injuries, bone tissue injuries and so on 19,20 . Acute injuries accounted for, while chronic injuries accounted for the main causes of Sports Aerobics athletes injuries are inadequate preparatory activities, technical errors, body fatigue, local overburdens, poor physiological and psychological reasons.…”