Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Skinfold Thickness and Circumference of Upper and Lower Extremities in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

수중운동 프로그램이 류마티스 관절염 환자의 사지 피부두겹 두께와 둘레에 미치는 영향

Many arthritis patients experience weakness of muscles in extremities mainly due to disuse atrophy and weight gain because of the limited activities and exercises. This study examines the effects of the 6-week aquatic-exercise program on the body fat and the muscle of the rheumatoid arthritis patients. Seventeen patients in the experimental group and 18 in the control group were assigned depending on their preference and physical condition. These patients had more than 3 points of pain out of 10, deformities in knee, wrist and ankle joints. The amount of aquatic exercise increases from 35 minutes in the first week to 60 minutes in the 6th week. In the resting period they discussed their own experiences about exercise, personal and family affairs, and performed some recreation programs in order to increase the self-efficacy and promote the relationship with other patients by the group activities. Skinfold thickness and circumferences of both extremities were measured before and after experiment to compare the difference. For testing the body fat Saham Model was used. Prior to the experiment two group's body weight, skinfold thickness and skin circumferences were not significantly different which indicates the homogeneity of two groups. Body weight and most parts of skinfold thickness of the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group after 6-week aquatic exercise program. Circumference was not significantly lower than the control after the program. These findings indicate the in-crease of muscle sizes and the reduction of the body fat. Therefore a more active application of aquatic exercise into a variety of clients is strongly suggested.