Effects of underwater treadmill training on leg strength, balance, and walking performance in adults with incomplete spinal cord injury

This study explored how underwater treadmill training (UTT) affects leg strength, balance, and walking in adults with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). UTT involves walking on a treadmill submerged in water, which can reduce body weight and make movement easier. The research found that after eight weeks of UTT, participants showed improvements in leg strength, balance, walking speed, walking endurance, and daily step activity. This suggests UTT could be a beneficial therapy for people with iSCI. These improvements are significant because they can lead to a more active lifestyle, potentially reducing the health risks associated with being sedentary after a spinal cord injury. The water's buoyancy supports the body, allowing for exercise with less strain.

• 1
  Significant increases were observed in lower-extremity strength following underwater treadmill training. This suggests that UTT can effectively improve muscle strength in individuals with iSCI.
• 2
  Balance significantly improved after the UTT program. This improvement in balance may be attributed to the unique properties of water, which allows for greater weight shift and postural adjustments.
• 3
  Walking performance, including preferred and rapid walking speeds and 6-minute walk distance, showed significant improvements. This indicates that UTT can enhance walking ability and endurance in individuals with iSCI.