ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MEDICINE 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2018 May;58(5):684-9

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.17.07151-1

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Influence of aquatic exercises in physical condition in patients with multiple sclerosis

Felipe J. AIDAR ^{1, 2, 3} ✉, Dihogo GAMA de MATOS ³, Raphael F. de SOUZA ¹, Aline B. GOMES ³, Francisco SAAVEDRA ⁴, Nuno GARRIDO ⁵, André L. CARNEIRO ⁶, Victor REIS ⁵

¹ Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil; ² Brazilian Paralympic Academy, Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Brasilia, Brazil; ³ Department of Studies and Research in Performance, Sport, Health and Parasports, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil; ⁴ Department of Sports Science, Exercise and Health of the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro University, Vila Real, Portugal; ⁵ Sport Research Center, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal; ⁶ State University at Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Montes Claros, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling chronic disease of the nervous system in which the myelin system of the central nervous system is deteriorated. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an aquatic exercise program on the physical condition of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis.
METHODS: The study included 26 participants divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG) with 13 individuals and a control group (CG) also with 13 individuals. The EG underwent 12 weeks of aquatic exercise, three times per week and 45-60 minutes per session. The groups were evaluated pre- and post-intervention, and were later compared to check for differences between groups. Data was collected by using functional tests such as the Timed “Up and Go” Test, the Timed 7.62 Meters Walk Test, the Getting up from a Sitting Position Test and the Balance Test.
RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the groups in the post-intervention stage. Furthermore, significant differences were also observed in all domains of physical condition of EG patients, in the post-intervention stage. Results obtained from the intention-to-treat analysis were consistent with those found in the literature.
CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, this study’s results suggest that aquatic exercise programs can effectively improve multiple sclerosis patient’s physical condition and should be considered when coping with this public health problem.

KEY WORDS: Multiple sclerosis - Exercises - Physical fitness - Rehabilitation