%0 Journal Article %T Effects of aquatic exercise on the pain, symptoms, motor performance and quality of life of elderly women with knee osteoarthritis %J Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences %I Isfahan University of Medical Sciences %Z 1735-7519 %A Mehrabian, Hossein %A Shojaedin, Sayed Sadredin %A Barati, Amir Hossein %A Ghasemi, Manijeh %D 2012 %\ 06/01/2012 %V 8 %N 2 %P 337-345 %! Effects of aquatic exercise on the pain, symptoms, motor performance and quality of life of elderly women with knee osteoarthritis %R 10.22122/jrrs.v8i2.444 %X Introduction: The advantages of participating in physical activities are so well proved that many statements recommend them in preventing chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aquatic exercises on the knee pain and its symptoms as well as on the motor performance associated with daily living activities (ADL), sport-recreational activities, and the quality of life of elderly females.Materials and Methods: 12 elderly women (mean age 52 ± 4.70 yr; mean height 163.17 ± 6.45 cm; mean weight 67.83 ± 6.69 kg) who suffered from knee osteoarthritis participated in the present study. The world-known Knee Injuries and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score questionnaire was used for data collection. Aquatic exercises were carried out under the supervision of an aquatic exercise instructor for eight weeks. The obtained data were statistically analyzed through t test at the significance level of P ≤ 0.05.Results: Knee pain (P = 0.019), motor functions of daily living (P = 0.020), sport and recreation activities (P = 0.003) and subjects’ quality of life (P = 0.048) were significantly improved subsequent to the termination of the training program. However, no significant difference was observed between pre- and post-test conditions concerning symptoms (P = 0.418).Conclusion: The results showed that aquatic exercises, as a safe and effective exercise method, should be incorporated in rehabilitation programs to improve the pain, motor functions and quality of life of elderly females with knee osteoarthritis.Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Knee, Aquatic exercises %U https://jrrs.mui.ac.ir/article_16547_f1e282230a89a93abe0232abded89bab.pdf