Effect of the Use of Elastic Bands During Water Gymnastics Classes in Muscular Strength of Women

The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle strength/resistance changes after four weeks of water gymnastics with and without the use of elastic bands. 26 women aged 50-60 years, who have attended water gymnastics classes for at least six month participated in the study. The subjects were pre and post-training assessed through elbow flexion, vertical jump without arm movements and 30-second stand and seat chair tests. The sample was randomly divided into two groups: Elastic band group (EBG) and Regular training group (RTG). EBG was engaged in water gymnastics classes program with the elastic band as additional load, while GTC engaged in only regular water gymnastics classes with no additional apparatus. The statistic analysis chosen was the two-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test with p < 0.05 as significant level. The results presented positive effect of the training program in the three analyzed variables. Elbow flexion and chair stand and seat tests showed significant in the group x time interaction (p > 0.01). Tukey post hoc test evidenced significant increase pre-post training period at EBG program for all studied variables. These results suggest that elastic bands are an interesting strategy for water gymnastics classes to increase muscle strength of upper and lower limbs in women.