Aquatic neuromuscular training with proprioceptive emphasis: influence on muscle mechanical power and jump height

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Motor skills trained in aquatic environment seem to potentiate the proprioceptive system. However, it is necessary to investigate the effect of the aquatic environment on the neuromuscular performance of athletes. AIM: To evaluate the effect of an intervention by functional aquatic neuromuscular exercises, with emphasis on the proprioceptive sensory system, on the variables jump height and muscular power, with proprioceptive acuity as a covariate. METHODOLOGY: Sample composed of 14 college men practicing futsal and divided into control group (CG/n=7) and experimental group (EG/n=7). The variables mechanical muscle power and jump height were evaluated using the 60 seconds vertical jump test. Proprioceptive acuity was assessed by the sense of joint position and kinesthesia quantified by the slow passive sensory perception test (Tpassive) and by the joint position sense test (Tactive). The outcome variables were measured in two moments: before and after the intervention. The aquatic intervention was applied for six weeks with three sessions each week. RESULTS: There was no group effect nor of the moment at the time of the jump. In the muscular mechanical power, there was no effect of the moment, but there was an effect of the group, with the CG presenting higher values than the EG. Neither Tactive nor Tpassive influenced jump height and muscular mechanical power. CONCLUSION: The intervention of functional aquatic neuromuscular exercises with emphasis on proprioception affected neither muscular power nor jump height, this result was not influenced by proprioceptive acuity.