How Water-Based Exercises Boost Leg Muscle Strength in Blind Women

Jenn Hoskins
28th May, 2025

How Water-Based Exercises Boost Leg Muscle Strength in Blind Women

The data regarding the examined groups during both the pre-test and post-test. Mean (SD).

Image adapted from: Salari et al. / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • Researchers in Italy found that aquatic exercise programs help visually impaired women strengthen key muscles
  • Women who did the water exercises showed improved muscle responsiveness and quicker muscle activation
  • Enhanced muscle strength from these exercises can reduce fall risks and boost daily independence
Visual impairment (VI) significantly affects individuals' daily lives, often leading to decreased social participation and reduced physical fitness. Addressing these challenges is essential for improving the well-being and overall health of those with VI. A recent study conducted by researchers at IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli in Italy[1] explored how tailored aquatic exercise programs can enhance muscle activation and strength in visually impaired women, potentially mitigating some of the adverse effects associated with VI. The study focused on thirty blind women, averaging 29 years of age, who were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (EX) and a control group (CO). The EX group participated in three weekly 60-minute aquatic exercise sessions, while the CO group continued with their regular activities without any additional exercise regimen. The researchers aimed to measure the impact of these aquatic exercises on muscle activation and strength, specifically targeting muscles crucial for mobility and balance. To assess muscle activation, the study employed electromyography (EMG), a technique that records the electrical activity produced by muscles. EMG activation and onset time were measured in four key muscles: the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris. Additionally, muscle strength was evaluated in the ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors, as well as the knee flexors and extensors. These measurements provided a comprehensive view of the participants' neuromuscular function before and after the intervention. The results demonstrated significant improvements in the EX group compared to the CO group. EMG activation increased in all targeted muscles during both anterior-posterior and posterior-anterior movements, indicating enhanced muscle responsiveness. Specifically, the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris showed higher activation levels in the EX group, with changes ranging from 2.23 to 2.35 MVIC% (maximum voluntary isometric contraction). Additionally, the onset time for muscle activation decreased significantly, meaning that the EX group could activate their muscles more quickly in response to movement. Moreover, muscle strength saw notable increases in the EX group. Ankle dorsiflexors and knee extensors, in particular, showed improvements of 4.42 N/kg and 2.72 N/kg, respectively. These gains in strength are crucial for maintaining balance and performing everyday tasks, which are often challenging for individuals with VI. Enhanced muscle strength can contribute to greater independence and a higher quality of life by reducing the risk of falls and improving overall mobility. This study builds on previous research highlighting the importance of physical fitness in individuals with VI. A systematic review[2] established that VI is linked to reduced social participation, which in turn affects well-being and health-related quality of life. By improving muscle strength and activation, aquatic exercise programs like the one studied can potentially enhance social participation by enabling individuals to engage more actively in community and social activities. Additionally, while earlier research[3][4] focused on the elderly, demonstrating that muscle weakness is a significant risk factor for falls and that strength training can mitigate this risk, the current study extends these findings to a younger population with VI. This suggests that muscle strengthening exercises are beneficial across different age groups and conditions, emphasizing their role in fall prevention and balance control. The aquatic environment offers unique advantages for exercise, particularly for those with VI. Water provides support and reduces the risk of injury, allowing participants to perform movements with greater ease and confidence. This setting can enhance the effectiveness of strength training by enabling more controlled and comprehensive muscle engagement. The study’s findings support the use of aquatic exercises as a viable rehabilitation strategy for improving neuromuscular function in visually impaired individuals. In conclusion, the tailored aquatic exercise program evaluated by the researchers at IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli effectively enhanced muscle activation and strength in women with visual impairments. These improvements have the potential to address some of the mobility and balance challenges associated with VI, thereby promoting greater independence and social participation. Future research should continue to explore and refine such exercise interventions, ensuring they are accessible and beneficial for a broader population of individuals with visual impairments.

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References

Main Study

1) Effects of an aquatic protocol on electromyography activation and strength of lower limb muscles in blind women: A randomized controlled trial

Published 27th May, 2025

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322395

Related Studies

2) The association between vision impairment and social participation in community-dwelling adults: a systematic review.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-019-0712-8

3) A weak balance: the contribution of muscle weakness to postural instability and falls.

https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpneuro0886

4) Ankle dorsiflexor strength relates to the ability to restore balance during a backward support surface translation.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.03.026


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