The Effect of in Water Selective Exercises on Muscle Strength in Patients with Muscle Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy syndrome refers to a group of genetic diseases resulting in muscle weakness and low functional capacity. This purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of an eight-week selective training on muscle strength of patients with muscular dystrophy. A quasi-experimental method was used in this study. Eleven patients with muscular dystrophy were selected through purposive sampling and divided into two groups randomly including in water selective exercises (n = 6) and control groups (n = 5) respectively. The study conducted under the supervision of researcher for eight weeks, three sessions per week, and the time allocated was between 60-45 minutes. Moreover, a t-test was used for statistical analysis and the significant level was set at p < 0.05 level. After an eight-week training a significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed in extensor muscle strength in patients with muscular dystrophy. However, no significant difference was observed in the control group (p ≥0.05). Comparing the changes made during eight weeks (difference between pre-test and post-test) a significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between intervention and control groups. According to obtained findings in this study, in water selective exercise is an effective way to improve muscular strength in patients with muscular dystrophy.