Effects of aqua brisk walking and cycling on risk factors of metabolic syndrome and physical fitness in obese adults

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of the aqua brisk walking and cycling on risk factors of metabolic syndrome and physical fitness in obese adults. Methods: Fifteen sedentary obese subjects aged 22-52 yrs participated in this study. They were assigned according to their own convenience into 3 groups: a shallow water brisk-walking (SWW) group (n = 5), a deep water cycling (DWC) group (n = 5) and a control group (n = 5). The two exercise-groups performed 3-5 sessions per week of moderate-intensity exercise until exhaustion for 12 weeks. Metabolic risk factors composed of waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, lipid profiles, physical fitness and percent body fat were assessed pre- and post- intervention. Results: Significant reductions in body weight, body mass index and blood pressure were found in both SWW and DWC groups with similar amount of changes, compared to the control group (P < 0.05). However, the changes in waist circumference, fasting blood sugar and lipid profile of both exercise groups were similar to those of the control group (P > 0.05). It was also found that at post-exercise intervention, the SWW and DWC groups significantly improved in physical fitness including the resting heart rate and the exercise time to exhaustion, but the maximal heart rate and percent body fat did not change. In addition, time using in 1-mile walk test was significantly decreased in the SWW group (P < 0.05), but not in the DWC group (P > 0.05). However, those parameters of both exercise groups were comparable to those of the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The aqua brisk walking and the aqua cycling exercises until exhaustion with moderate intensity had a beneficial effect on body weight and blood pressure but did not produce significant changes in other metabolic syndrome risk factors and physical fitness in obese adults.