Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

• Hossein Mehrabian ¹
• Sayed Sadredin Shojaedin ²
• Amir Hossein Barati ³
• Manijeh Ghasemi ⁴

¹ MSc, Department of Corrective Exercises and Sports Injuries, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Tarbiat Moallem University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Corrective Exercises and Sports Injuries, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Tarbiat Moallem University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

³ Sports Medicine Specialist, Assistant Professor, Department of Corrective Exercises and Sports Injuries, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Rajai University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

⁴ MSc, Department of Physical Education, School of Physical Education, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

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