Effect of Walking in Water for 6 Weeks on Respiratory Muscle Strength

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect on inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength (PImax and PEmax respectively) of walking in water with that of walking on land.

Participants and Methods: Eighteen healthy males were randomly divided into the walking in water group (WG: 9 people) and the walking on land group (LG: 9 people). The LG walked on level ground and the WG walked in a pool filled to the depth of the fourth intercostal space or above. The exercise intensity was adjusted so that the walking speed raised the heart rate to 60% of the predicted maximum in both groups, and walking continued for 30 minutes 4 times a week over 6 weeks.

Results: In both groups, PImax increased significantly after 6 weeks compared with pre-exercise value, but no significant difference was observed between the two groups. PEmax increased significantly after 4 weeks compared with the pre-exercise value only in the WG, and its value was significantly higher than that of the LG.

Conclusion: We demonstrated that 6 weeks of walking on land and in water at 60% of the predicted maximum heart rate enhances PImax, but PEmax is enhanced only in the aquatic environment.

Keywords: Walking in water – Walking on land- Respiratory muscle strength-Healthy males.