Effect of aquatic exercises on the motor performance and the quality of life in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis

Introduction: The advantages of participating in physical activities are so well proved that many statements recommend them in preventing chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. Training methods that are used to treat this condition is aquatic exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aquatic exercises on the motor performance and quality of life in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis. Methods: 22 women with knee osteoarthritis with mean age 35-55 (years) were equally randomly assigned to one of two groups: experimental or control groups the world-known knee injuries and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score questionnaire was used for data collection. Aquatic exercises were carried out under the supervision of a aquatic expert three sessions a week for 8 weeks, each session lasting 60 minutes. Patients in the control group continued their normal daily living activities. Data were statistically analyzed via ANOVA. Results: Results showed significant mean differences of performance comparing pre- (40.56&plusmn;10.23) and post- (71.81&plusmn;10.94) intervention conditions in the experimental group, while mean differences between pre- (46.20&plusmn;15.04) and post- (45.71&plusmn;15.41) tests was not significant in control group. The mean differences of quality of life regarding pre- (63.89&plusmn;7.10) and post- (75&plusmn;5.68) intervention evaluations was significant in experimental group (P<0.05), but there was no significant mean differences between pre- (65.97&plusmn;6.6) and post- (64.81&plusmn;6.69) tests in control group. Conclusion: The results showed that aquatic exercises, as a safe and effective exercise method, should be incorporated in rehabilitation programs to improve the motor functions and quality of life of elderly females with knee osteoarthritis