Effects of a Combined Aquatic Exercise and Walking in Sedentary Obese Females Undergoing a Behavioral Weight-Loss Intervention

Abstract

Background: The effects of the non-weight-bearing method of aquatic exercise as a modality for weight loss have not been established. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a combined aquatic-exercise and walking program compared with walking alone on body weight and selected variables in obese women undergoing a 16-week standard behavioral treatment program. Methods: Forty-four obese (body-mass index 34.9 ± 3.8 kg/m 2) sedentary women age 40.3 ± 6.8 years were randomly assigned to one of two groups: aquatic and walking exercise (AE) or walking only (W). In addition, both groups were required to complete three sessions of home-based walking per week and were instructed to reduce energy intake to facilitate weight loss. Results: In the AE group, total body weight, cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, strength, and health-related quality of life significantly improved over time similarly to the W group. Slightly greater nonsignificant losses in body weight, improvements in flexibility, greater attendance rates, and significantly greater enjoyment scores also occurred in the AE group. Conclusion: These observations suggest that aquatic exercise in com-bination with walking can serve as an alternative to walking exercise alone for overweight women during periods of weight loss, and this can improve functional health status.