Force production and symmetry in water fitness exercises: a gender comparison

Resumo

The aim of this study was to analyse and compare propulsive forces, relative force production and symmetry between genders during water fitness exercises. Eighteen participants (women, n= 9; age: 20.67 ± 0.87 years; body mass: 58.18 ± 4.97 kg; height: 159.19 ± 5.85 cm; and men, n= 9; age: 22.11 ± 1.76 years; body mass: 72.93 ± 7.00 kg; height: 170.83 ± 5.57 cm) underwent two incremental protocols performing horizontal adduction (HA) and the rocking horse (RH_add) exercises, from 105 to 150 bpm. Propulsive peak force of dominant (PF_D) and non-dominant upper-limbs (PF_ND) was assessed by a differential pressure system. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to collect the dry-land isometric peak strength of the dominant upper-limb. Significant differences between genders were found for most of the music cadences in HA and RH_add. Men were able to produce higher propulsive force values for both upper-limbs during the overall incremental protocol, whereas women reached a higher relative force production. However, no significant diferences were found between both genders at the same music cadence. Most actions were asymmetric in women, whereas men showed a symmetric pattern. The cadence of 135 bpm elicits a symmetric motion in both genders while exercising water fitness exercises.

Keywords:aquatic exercise; propulsive force; isometric strength; cadence; sex