تأثیر هشت هفته تمرین ترکیبی آب- خشکی بر قدرت اندام تحتانی و سرعت راه رفتن مردان سالمند

Objectives: Though strength/endurance weakness of lower extremities could affect elderly gait speed, this study undertaken the effect of eight week combined training (aquatic and non-quadratic) on the lower limb strength and maximum gait speed of elderly men. Methods & Materials: In this semi experimental study, 16 elderly with average and standard deviation age of 62.75&plusmn;2.74 yrs, divided in two group (9 control and 7 experimental). Eight week combined exercise (two sessions per week, one session in the pool and one session on land) executed for the experimental group, while the control group continues their regular daily activity. Senior&rsquo;s Chair stand and gait speed in 10 meters pathway are tested before and after training. Relatively, the depended and independent sample t test used to compare within and between changes groups, at the level of 0.05 thresholds. Results: Significant differences seen in the lower extremity strength between post-test of control and experimental groups (P<0.05) and between pre and post test of experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Due to finding of this study, combined aquatic and non-aquatic endurance training in compliance with the principle of diversity and increasing lower extremity strength which could affect elderly gait speed, are recommended.