Motta (2013) The Effects of Aquatic and Land-based Exercise on Balance and Gait in People Post Stroke
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aquatic and land-based exercise on balance and gait outcomes in people post-stroke.
Methods: One person (1 male) participated in land-based exercise, two people (1 male and 1 female) participated in aquatic exercise, and one person (1 male) participated in home-based exercise. The aquatic and land-based participants received an 8-week exercise program, 3 training sessions, 3 times a week for 50 minutes. The home-based exercise participant was provided with an individualized exercise program which had the components similar to the other two protocols. The Biodex Balance Equipment was used to collect the participants’ balance data and Biodex Gait Trainer was used to collect the participants’ walking data. Pre-data was collected before the beginning of the exercise program followed by bi-weekly data collection. There were a total of five data collection points. The individuals participating in a aquatic exercise program performed the exercise in the therapeutic pool with a pool temperature range from 92-94 degrees Fahrenheit. The individual participating in land-based exercise program performed the exercise in the expansion room. xi
Results: The balance time series graph of the participant who took part in an 8-week land-based exercise program revealed a decrease in overall scores, medial-lateral index and anterior-posterior index. The time series graph of the participant (1) who took part in an 8-week aquatic exercise program revealed a decrease in overall score and anterior-posterior index. The balance time series graph of participant (2) who took part in an 8-week aquatic training programs revealed a decrease in overall scores, anterior-posterior index and medial-lateral index. The balance time series graph of the participant who participated in an 8-week home-based exercise program did not show significant improvement in overall scores, anterior-posterior index or medial-lateral index. The gait time series graph of the participant who took part in an 8-week land-based training program showed significant improvement in coefficient of variation, step length, walking speed and cadence. However, they did not show improvement in ambulation index and the time they spent on each foot. The gait time series graph of the participant 1 who took part in an 8-week aquatic exercise program showed significant improvement in coefficient of variation, step length and walking speed. However, they did not show improvement in ambulation index, cadence or the time they spent on each foot. The gait time series graph of the participant 2 who took part in an 8-week aquatic exercise program showed significant improvement in ambulation index, the time they spent on each foot coefficient of variation, step length and walking speed. However, they did not show improvement in step length or cadence. The gait time series graph of the participant who took part in an 8-week home-based exercise program showed significant improvement in ambulation index, time they spent on each foot, cadence and walking xii speed. However, they did not show improvement in step length or coefficient of variation.
Conclusion: The study results indicated that the individuals that participated in aquatic exercise and land-based exercise program showed remarkable improvements in their balance and gait outcomes compared to the individual participated in home-based exercise program.
