Effectiveness of arthritis foundation aquatic program on strength and range of motion in women with arthritis

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program (AFAP) exercises on strength and range of motion (ROM) measures in women with arthritis. Exercise group (EX) subjects (n = 17)trained three times a week for 6 weeks in AFAP classes. Pre- and posttest isometric strength and ROM tests were conducted on shoulder and hip abduction movements on both limbs. For hip abduction, EX subjects made significant increases in isometric strength and ROM measures ranging from 13.0 to 17.0%. No significant changes in strength or ROM measures for shoulder abduction were found for the EX group. The control group (n = 10) demonstrated no significant changes in isometric or ROM measures for either joint test. The basic 6-week AFAP protocol appears sufficient to induce strength and ROM changes in joints affected by arthritis but may not be sufficient to induce similar changes for joint motions not affected by arthritis.