Effectiveness of Low Intensity Aquatic Exercise and Floor Exercise in Improving Functional Vital Capacity and Forced Expiratorty Volume among Subjects with COPD: A Comparative study

INTRODUCTION: Despite the growing number of studies reporting therapeutic success in water environments, research involving aquatic exercise among patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is scarce. This study evaluates the impact of low-intensity aquatic exercise and floor exercises on COPD. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of the study is to compare the effectiveness of low intensity aquatic exercise in improving functional capacity and forced expiratory volume among subjects with COPD. METHODOLOGY: 30 subjects were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were divided into two groups, Group A (15) and Group B (15). Group A received low intensity Floor exercise and Group B received low intensity Aquatic exercise and the Functional capacity and Forced Expiratory volume were measured using the 6 minute walk test, spirometer. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvement in vital capacity and forced expiratory volume after treatment program. Aquatic group showed clinically and statistically significant improvement in vital capacity and expiratory forced volume when compared to the floor group. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that the subjects in the Aquatic exercise group showed statistically significant improvement (i.e) the subjects in (Group B) showed increase in functional capacity and forced expiratory volume when compared to the subjects in floor group (Group A)