Kinematic Comparison of Aquatic- and Land-Based Stationary Exercises in Overweight and Normal Weight Children.

PURPOSE

This study examined lower extremity kinematics in healthy weight (HW) and overweight (OW) children during water- and land-based stationary exercises (stationary running, frontal kick, and butt kick) at light submaximal intensity.

METHODS

Participants included OW (N = 10; body fat percentage: 34.97 [8.60]) and HW (N = 15; body fat percentage: 18.33 [4.87]) children, aged 10 to 13 years. Spatiotemporal data, lower extremity joint kinematics, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected during water- and land-based stationary exercises. Repeated measures analysis of variance compared kinematic variables and RPE between groups and environments. A polygon area function compared coordination patterns between environments.

RESULTS

RPE responses were significantly greater in OW than HW children on land (13.6 [0.7] vs 11.6 [0.7]; P < .001), whereas the RPE responses were similar between groups in water (11.2 [0.7] vs 11.1 [0.8]; P > .05). OW children were significantly more upright than HW children during land-based exercise, whereas there were no differences observed between groups during aquatic-based exercise. The duration of stance and swing phases, angular velocity, and cadence were significantly lower in water than on land.

CONCLUSION

Compared with HW children, OW children performed stationary exercises in a more upright posture on land, with higher RPE. However, these differences diminished in water. Aquatic-based exercise may be effective in minimizing the effects of excess mass on OW children's ability to complete physical activity.