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Research: ODA and colleagues, De
Listed in Issue 49
Abstract
ODA and colleagues, Department of Health and Physical Education and Research, Faculty of Education, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan studied the effects of underwater exercise upon relaxation .
Background
Methodology
8 healthy young men, aged 20-26 years were recruited to the study. The experiment consisted of 3 segments: 1) a pre-exercise period of 20 minutes, when the men rested in a semi-supine posture with eyes closed for the final 10 minutes; 2) an underwater exercise period of about 60 minutes, when the men performed gymnastic exercises or aerobic dancing with occasional movements or jumping; 3) a post-exercise rest period. The warm water was 34°. The authors compared the relative power values (power %) of the electroencephalogram alpha bands and profile of moods states (POMS) prior to and following the underwater exercise. The intensity of underwater exercise was ascertained from an estimate of the percentage of maximal heart rate (%HRmax) throughout the experiment.
Results
The %HRmax indicated that the intensity of underwater exercises practised ranged from low to moderate. Compared with the pre-exercise rest, the power % of EEG alpha bands increased significantly following the underwater exercise. The POMS data indicated that positive mood (vigour) increased and negative mood (tension and anxiety, depression and dejection) decreased significantly following the underwater exercise.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that the subjects showed increased physiological and psychological indices of relaxation following underwater exercise.
References
Oda S et al. Relaxation effects in humans of underwater exercise of moderate intensity. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology 80(4): 253-9. Sep 1999.
