GROUND REACTION FORCE AND PLANTAR PRESSURE OF TWO JUMPING HEAD-OUT AQUATIC EXERCISES

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical load, measured by the vertical ground reaction force (GRF), plantar pressure, and contact area of two jumping head-out aquatic exercises (cross country ski and jumping jacks) performed at 1.30 m water depth. Ten healthy male volunteers, with mean (SD) age 26.5 (4.2) yr, height 175.8 (2.6) cm, weight 73.7 (8.5) kg, body mass index 22.3 (2.5) kg.m-2 participated in this study. Data from both GRF and plantar pressures were obtained by using an insole system. Pairedsamples t-tests were conducted to compare each variable between conditions. Significant differences between exercises were found in all variables (peak force, t(9)=2.52, p = 0.033; peak pressure, t(9)=2.41, p = 0.040 and contact area, t(9)=-2.60, p = 0.029). Jumping exercises can be a suitable option when prescribing water-based exercises.