Swimming and Water Walking on Spirometry Values

The present research aims to verify if there are differences in body composition and spirometric values in children aged between 6 and 12 years who practice swimming complemented with water walking at the end of each session and those who only practice swimming. The sample consisted of 28 individuals aged 6 to 12 years and was divided into two groups: swimming group (SG) with 9 children and swimming complemented with water walking group (SWWG) of 19 children. In this study, the investigators wanted to know which were the benefits in body composition and for that purpose used a bio-impedance scale Targa Silvercrest Z29777A (Germany), and an anthropometric tape to measure the waist circumference. To calculate the spirometric values, namely forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and even peak expiratory flow (PEF) a Cosmed Microquark spirometer was used. In terms of statistical procedures, the investigators used the program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version number 20 (SPSS 20.0). The investigators used descriptive statistics (minimum, maximum, means and standard deviations), the Shapiro Wilk test for testing the normality of the sample, inferential statistics (non-parametric Mann-Whitney tests, Friedman's Anova, and for the calculation of the effect magnitude the d-Cohen test). After the data treatment, regarding the inter-group analysis (comparison between the swimming group and the swimming group with water walking) the investigators observed that there were significant differences in three variables at the end of the study, that is, at the end of the 3 moments. These variables were weight relative to body composition, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF), these values are relative to the spirometry evaluation. Concerning intra-group differences (improvement in the swimming group and the swimming with water walking group in the three moments evaluated), the SWWG showed significant improvements in the variables of weight, muscle mass, fat mass, percentage of water, body mass index (BMI), body percentiles, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).

Inclusion criteria

• Children inside this age range;
• water experience between 6 and 12 months
• children with no other activities besides swimming

Exclusion criteria

• Children with Asma;
• Children with DPOC
• Children with pulmonary limitations.