Effect of aquatic exercise on body composition, balance and joint range of motion in hemophilic children

Abstract

Aim of this study is to examine the affect of ten week period aquatic exercise on children’s body composition, balance, and range motion who are under constant observation of Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.

Seven boys who were 10.71±3.1 mean aged voluntarily attended in this study. Participants made 60 minutes exercises twice a week, and study lasted for ten weeks. Bioelectricity impedance, kinesthetic balance, tandem stance-walk and joint range of motion measurements were obtained prior and post to the exercise program. Statistical analysis of data was made by Wilcoxon test. At the end of exercise program satisfying results in measures of height, weight, basal metabolic rate, free fat mass, and total body water were obtained (p<0.05). In hip and shoulder joint range of motion satisfying results were obtained in flexometric measures (p<0.05).

As result of this study, it is founded that aquatic exercise may increase muscle mass, and may affect joint range of motion in three axed joints as hip and shoulder positively.