Effects of aquatic resistance training on neuromuscular performance in healthy women.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a progressive 10-wk aquatic resistance training on neuromuscular performance and muscle mass of the knee extensors and flexors in healthy women. METHODS Twenty-four healthy women (34.2 +/- 3.9 yr) were randomly assigned into aquatic exercise (N = 12) and control group (N = 12). Maximum knee extension and flexion torques were measured isometrically and at constant angular velocities of 60 degrees x s(-1) and 180 degrees x s(-1) (isokinetic) with simultaneous electromyography (EMG) recordings of the quadriceps and hamstrings. The lean muscle mass (LCSA) of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles was determined by computed tomography scanning. RESULTS Significant interaction of group by time was observed in each of the measured parameters. The change in extension and flexion isometric/isokinetic torque varied between 8 and 13% and in EMGs between 10 and 27% in the exercise group. The change in the quadriceps LCSA of the exercise group was 4% and in hamstrings 5.5%. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study showed that 10 wk of progressive aquatic resistance training resulted in significant improvement in muscle torque of the knee extensors and flexors accompanied with proportional improvement in neural activation and with significant increase in the LCSA of the trained muscles. Aquatic training can be recommended for neuromuscular conditioning in healthy persons.