T.N. Shutova, associate professor, Ph.D.
E.O. Rybakova, Ph.D.
A.V. Sharav'eva, postgraduate student
Tchaikovsky State Institute of Physical Culture, Tchaikovsky

Keywords: correction of physical condition and functional state, aqua fitness, aqua aerobics, health improving physical culture, swimming.

Relevance. Nowadays it is important to improve the physical condition and health of the population by means of physical culture, sport and tourism, to form the need for regular physical exercises, since numerous studies reveal the tendency of deterioration of health of the adult population, including women [1]. And woman's body is not always able to cope with loads such as in aerobics, sports games, running, weight training; this situation is exacerbated by joint diseases and overweight, slow metabolism with age-related changes, and therefore the classes in the water are an ideal form of organization of health-improving physical culture. As of today, the classification of training exercises in the water, the technique of aqua aerobics classes, technology of load graduation depending on "fitness profile" have been developed [2–4], but the guidelines for the correction of physical condition of young women of the first and second periods of maturity are insufficient, the combination of exercises in the support and unsupported body position in the water and the volume of traditional swimming remain unexplored, as well as the content of special exercises (tucks, turnovers, rotations and rowing moves, abdominal exercises) [2–4].

The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the technique of correction of the physical condition of women of different age groups by means of aqua fitness.

Materials and methods. The educational experiment had been carried out for 3 years and involved women aged 18-28, 29-34 and 35-55 years. The classes were conducted 3 times a week and were distinguished from aqua aerobics by inclusion of traditional swimming (up to 30-40% of the training class), sets of exercises, easy coordination movements, elements of aqua aerobics (30% of the content), special back, abdominal, obliques and leg exercises, various rotation and rowing exercises, running and jumping under different pool depth conditions (30%). The dosage of physical load in different age groups differed in swimming duration, availability or absence of support equipment, amplitude, speed of movements, swimming styles, complicated and simplified conditions for exercising. The tempo of exercising in the main part (10-15 min) was high - 140-160 bpm; twice a week - sets of exercises in the "deep" water (2 m), which helps increase physical load and energy consumption.

In addition, special exercises were performed 30 times in 3 sets as a part of correction of the physical condition and body build. Physical load was increased by means of jumping and running exercises, exercises without touching the bottom of the pool, crawl and breaststroke, simulation of thrashes and strokes. To reduce load, the set of exercises was performed at the medium depth of 120-130 cm and included exercises with special support equipment, swimming at slow and medium tempo (freestyle), exercises at the swimming-pool nosing, a set of easy coordination exercises.

The integrated approach to estimation of women's physical condition consisted in evaluation of the double product index (c.u.) - the level of hemodynamic load on the cardiovascular system; coefficient of efficiency of blood circulation (c.u.), characterizing energy expenditure on blood flow; endurance coefficient (c.u) - the cardiovascular system condition. Estimation of the external respiration functions included measurement of vital capacity (VC, ml), as well as birth-death ratio (ml/kg).

Skibinski's circulatory-respiratory coefficient (c.u.) - the respiratory and cardiovascular system reserves; the autonomic nervous system condition was estimated using the Kedro vegetation index (KVI, c.u.). Somatotype (Pignet index, c.u.) was evaluated by the methodology of M.V. Chernorutskiy.

Results and discussion. All the studied indices of the group of women aged 18-28 years were statistically significant (p<0.05). This was due to using the methodology of training classes, exercises performed in the standing and lying positions, rotation exercises and tucks, swimming, including finswimming (Table 1).

Table 1. Dynamics of physical condition of women aged 18–28 years.                            

Note.  – arithmetic mean value, σ – mean square deviation; * – hereinafter in Table 2 statistical significance (р<0.05).

It should be emphasized that most women of this age group are of hypersthenic constitution, which gives cause for concern about overweight at a young age. The Pignet index value ranged from 0.2 to 16.2 c.u. (below 15 c.u - hypersthenic people, 16-25 c.u. - normosthenic people), which testifies to the tendency of transition to normosthenic body build.

The circulatory-respiratory coefficient increased threefold and amounted to 30.0 c.u. (satisfactory condition of the respiratory and cardiovascular system reserves) at the end of the experiment, compared to 10.8 c.u. (unsatisfactory condition) at the beginning. This effect was reached by means of regular breathing, special breathing exercises, series of swimming exercises of average intensity; a part of the class dedicated to training in the "deep" water without touching the bottom of the pool, which increases load and makes the HR indices range between 140-150 bpm (15 min of the total class duration).

A statistically significant dynamics was marked in the birth-death ratio - from 29.8 to 58.7 ml/kg (norm - 53-61 ml/kg), which indicates the efficiency of the methodology of training classes in the water aimed at the functional capabilities of the external respiration.

Table 2 presents the results obtained in the group of 29-34-year-olds.

Table 2. Dynamics of physical condition of women aged 29-34 years.

Unlike the group of 18-28-year-olds, not all the indices of the group of 29-34-year-olds were statistically significant. Circulatory-respiratory coefficient ranged significantly from 11.3 to 23.7 c.u. By the end of the study, the Pignet index value equaled 8.2 c.u., these values fall under the parameters of hypersthenic people, but approach the parameters of normosthenic ones. At the age of 29-34 years they recommend average amplitude of exercising, intensity in the preparatory part - average, exercising without additional support (aqua-belt) in the main part of the training class (10-15 min), control of breathing, blood pressure control and heart rate management before and after classes.

Unlike the previous group, in the group of women aged 35-55 the level of hemodynamic load on the cardiovascular system changed from 119.3 to 90.1 c.u. (statistically significant). At the beginning of the study, the coefficient of efficiency of blood circulation was equal to 4989.2 c.u., but at the end of the study it reduced to 2927.0 c.u. and approached the norm. The birth-death ratio in women aged 35-55 increased by the end of the study and was very close to the norm.

By the end of the study, the circulatory-respiratory index increased, reached the "satisfactory" range, and thus, the norm. The positive dynamics was observed in the endurance coefficient of circulation and KVI. The training classes were distinguished by a smaller amplitude of exercises, trainer’s control of general state during and after classes based on BP and HR. It was recommended to use additional support equipment during the whole class, swimming at medium and slow tempo, special strengthening exercises (3 sets of 20 reps, unlike the rest of age groups, where 30 reps were recommended). 

Conclusion. Aqua aerobics and aqua fitness classes have an overall positive effect on the objective characteristics of physical condition of women of all age groups, which is seen in the statistically significant changes in the functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as on correction of the constitutional type from hypersthenic to normosthenic. By the end of the study, blood pressure and HR at rest normalized, body mass reduced, vital capacity increased significantly in all age groups.

References

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4. Tikhomirova, I. Akvafitnes. Trener vam ne nuzhen! (Aqua fitness. You do not need a coach!) / I. Tikhomirova. – St. Petersburg: Piter, 2005. – 128 P.

Corresponding author: tany-156@rambler.ru