Water-based exercise for cardiovascular fitness in people with chronic stroke:: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an 8-week, water-based exercise program (experimental group) with that of an upper-extremity function program (control group) to increase cardiovascular fitness within a community setting for people with stroke. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting: Public community center. Participants: A volunteer sample of 12 community-dwelling people with stroke with mild to moderate residual motor deficits. Intervention: Study subjects participated in group exercise programs for 1 hour, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The experimental group exercised in chest-deep water at targeted heart rates. The control group performed arm and hand exercises while sitting. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was cardiovascular fitness (Vo(2)max). Secondary measures were maximal workload, muscle strength, gait speed, and the Berg Balance Scale score. Results: The experimental group attained significant improvements over the control group in cardiovascular fitness, maximal workload, gait speed, and paretic lower-extremity muscle strength. The relatively short program (8wk) of water-based exercise resulted in a 22% improvement in cardiovascular fitness in a small group of people with stroke who had relatively high function. Conclusions: A water-based exercise program undertaken as a group program may be an effective way to promote fitness in people with stroke.