The relationship between sagittal spinal curvatures and isokinetic trunk muscle endurance after aquatic exercise training in survivors of breast cancer.

PURPOSE

Assessment of the impact of aquatic exercises on the relationship between sagittal spinal curvatures and isokinetic trunk muscle endurance against standard land exercises in women after breast cancer treatment.

METHODS

40 women post breast cancer divided into two groups: a study group (n = 20) participated in the aquatic exercises and a control group (n = 20) performed the land exercises. Data collection occurred both before and after the 8 week intervention. Measurements were taken from the SG and CG performing antagonistic movements (flexions/extensions) to assess the endurance (120 °/s) in isokinetic conditions and a photogrammetric examination to define sagittal spinal curvatures.

RESULTS

A significant improvement (p < 0.05) in total work and average power was found among women after the aquatic exercises irrespective of the muscle group under examination. There were no significant changes in any examined parameters after the land exercises. In the study group, there was a significant association of gamma angle decrease and an increase of all examined functional parameters of total work and average power of both the extensor muscles (r = -0,49 to -0.51) and the trunk flexors (r = -0.48 to -0.51). In the control group, a similar tendency of functional-postural changes was observed only for the extensor muscles of the trunk (r = -0.54 to -0.58).

CONCLUSIONS

General exercises performed in water, as opposed to those performed on land, are more effective in terms of the functional-postural retations in women after breast cancer.