Vertical Ground Reaction Force during Water Exercises Performed at Different Intensities

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the peak vertical ground reaction force (V-GRF_peak) and impulse of women performing water aerobic exercises at different intensities in aquatic and dry land environments. 15 young women performed 1 session in each environment consisting of 3 water aerobic exercises (stationary running, frontal kick and cross country skiing) performed at 3 cadences (first ventilatory threshold, second ventilatory threshold and maximum effort, as determined during exercise in water) in a randomized order. 2-way and 3-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze the impulse and V-GRF_peak, respectively. Significantly lower values of V-GRF_peak and impulse (p<0.001) were observed for the aquatic environment. Significant differences were observed among all cadences for V-GRF_peak and impulse (p<0.001) in both environments except for the V-GRF_peak between the cadences corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold and maximum effort in the aquatic environment. In addition, significantly lower V-GRF_peak values in the aquatic environment were found for cross country skiing compared to the other exercises (p<0.001). Thus, water exercises are safe for people that need to minimize vertical ground reaction force; however, an important issue to be considered during water aerobics training is the exercise and intensity to be prescribed.

Key words

impact - impulse - immersion - aquatic exercises

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