Comparison between the effect of water based exercises and land based exercises on balance in obese individuals

Aim: To study the effect of water based exercises and land based exercises on balance in obese individuals.
Background: Excessive body weight negatively affects balance. Hydrotherapy has been the subject of investigations regarding balance recovery.
Methodology: This was an experimental pre/post study. 30 obese individuals with BMI > 3Okg/m2 between 45 to 55 years were evaluated using Star Excursion Balance Test and were divided into two groups – A and B. The subjects of group A underwent a land based exercise program and subjects of group B underwent a water based exercise program for balance for 4 weeks, with three sessions per week, each session lasting for 30 minutes. Each session was divided into three phases: a warm up phase, a fundamental phase with balance exercises and a cool down phase. The subjects were reassessed after the fourth week of the program using SEBT. The data was analyzed statistically by means of students unpaired t test.
Results: Water based balance exercises promoted significant increase in the obese individuals balance as compared to land based balance exercises as assessed using the SEBT (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: water based exercises rather than land based exercises are more effective in improving balance in obese individuals.