Quantifying physiological and biomechanical responses of shallow water walking: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Research in sports medicine Vol. 31; no. 5; pp. 604 - 618
• Main Authors: Ivaniski-Mello, André, Zimmermann Casal, Marcela, Costa, Rochelle Rocha, Alberton, Cristine Lima, Martinez, Flávia Gomes, Peyré-Tartaruga, Leonardo Alexandre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 03.09.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: aquatic exercise; biomechanics; energy expenditure; Head-out aquatic immersion; locomotion; Meta-analysis; Systematic review; biomechanics; energy expenditure; Head-out aquatic immersion; aquatic exercise; locomotion
• ISSN: 1543-8627; 1543-8635
• DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2021.2020786

Detecting the physiological and biomechanical alterations in shallow water walking (SWW) due to water depth and speed is important for health professionals to perform accurate exercise prescription. This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to investigate the acute physiological and biomechanical responses of SWW at different immersion depths in comparison to dry land walking. The main result (initial search: 1960 studies; systematic review: 42 studies; meta-analysis: 22 studies) indicated that metabolic power was higher in the immersion depth levels of xiphoid process (standardized mean differences (SMD) = 0.90; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.26 to 1.54) and waist (SMD = 3.35; 95% CI: −0.18 to 6.87) in comparison to dry land. SWW at xiphoid and waist depths seems to be an adequate exercise if the objective is to increase the energy expenditure and cardiovascular demand while the lower limb impact forces are reduced in comparison to dry land walking. PROSPERO registration: CRD42018113040.