Aquatic strength training in young women

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of an aquatic strength training (AST) upon muscle strength in young and healthy women. The aquatic training group (ATG, n=13) trained during eleven weeks and the control group (CG, n=7) did not practice any exercise throughout this period. The AST was performed twice a week for 50 minutes and the main part was performed in circuit form. The maximum dynamic strength (MS) was evaluated by the one repetition maximum test in seven strength exercises. The paired t test was used to compare the situations pre and post training (p<0.05). The AST showed a significant increase (p<0.001) in MS in all exercises and the increases ranged between 12.53 +/- 9.28% to 25.90 +/- 17.84%. No significant changes were observed in the CG. In general ways, we may recommend aquatic strength training of eleven weeks as an alternative and effective method to increase muscle strength in health and young women.