ผลของโปรแกรมการออกกำลังกายในน้ำต่อสมรรถภาพทางกายในอาสาสมัครอายุ 50-80 ปี

Abstract

The research was a descriptive observational study. The objective of the research
was to study the changes in physical fitness in volunteers aged between 50-80 years after
completion of aquatic exercise program.The 36 sessions of 45-minute aquatic exercise
program was attended by 29 volunteers aged between 50-80 years for 12 weeks at Naval
Medical Department. Physical fitness parameters were compared in all volunteers between
pre- and post-exercise program; including body composition, muscle strength of upper
body part tested by arm curling in 30 seconds, muscle strength of lower body part tested
by chair standing in 30 seconds, agility and dynamic balance tested by 8-foot up and go
test, and cardio-respiratory endurance tested by 2-minute step test. The results showed
that the body composition, including body fat percentage and body mass index did not
differ after completion of 12-week aquatic exercise program. However, there were significantly
increased in 30-second arm curl test, 30-second chair stand test, and 2-minute step
test (p0.05), as well as significantly decreased in time of 8-foot up and go test (p0.05),
between pre- and post-aquatic exercise program. It was concluded that the aquatic exercise
program increased muscle strength of upper and lower body parts, agility and dynamic
balance and cardio-respiratory endurance but not effected to body composition in the
50-80 age group.