International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology · Jul 25, 2026
Effects of a Four-Week Aquatic Exercise Program on Pulmonary Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength, and Handgrip Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Women
By Yu J
Background: Aging is associated with progressive declines in pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and skeletal muscle strength, which contribute to reduced physical performance and functional independence.Aquatic exercise has been proposed as an effective rehabilitation strategy for older adults because the unique properties of water provide both musculoskeletal support and increased respiratory loading.However, evidence regarding the effects of short-term aquatic exercise on respiratory function and muscle strength remains limited.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a four-week aquatic exercise program on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and handgrip strength in community-dwelling older women.Methods: Ten community-dwelling older women participated in a four-week aquatic exercise program performed twice weekly.Pulmonary function, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), FEV₁/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow (PEF), was assessed using spirometry.Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated by maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), while upper-extremity muscle strength was assessed using a digital handgrip dynamometer.Outcome measures were obtained before and after the intervention.Results: Following the intervention, pulmonary function variables showed minimal changes.FVC and FEV₁ decreased slightly, whereas the FEV₁/FVC ratio increased marginally and PEF remained relatively unchanged.In contrast, respiratory muscle strength improved considerably, with MIP increasing by 19.8 cmH₂O and MEP increasing by 4.4 cmH₂O.Handgrip strength also improved, with increases of 0.27 kg and 0.89 kg in the right and left hands, respectively.Conclusion: A four-week aquatic exercise program improved respiratory muscle strength and handgrip strength in community-dwelling older women, despite minimal changes in conventional pulmonary function parameters.These findings suggest that short-term aquatic exercise may serve as a safe and effective community-based intervention for enhancing respiratory muscle performance and muscular strength in older adults.Further randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer intervention periods are warranted to confirm these findings.