Cardiopulmonary effects of underwater exercise compared to land walking were observed over seven months among elderly persons. The 40 subjects were all 65 years and older. 21 persons were in the underwater exercise group and 19 persons in the land walking group. They performed their exercise under 25%VO2max according to their pulses. The observation items were blood pressure, pulse, vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume per second. The underwater exercise group performed 20 minutes of light exercise in the pool under the direction of a coach and then swam lightly 25 minutes. The land walking group performed 45 minutes of walking at their own pace.
Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly after seven months in the underwater exercise group, and the % expiratory volume per second increased as a result. There was no influence on diastolic blood pressure, pulse and the vital capacity. A significant change was not observed although diastolic blood pressure fell and forced expiratory volume per second went up in the land walking group.
Even elderly over 70 years old were able to perform underwater exercises easily, and experienced a positive result for blood pressure and lung function. Underwater exercise is a desirable exercise for the elderly.
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