The physiologic response of exercising in the water and on land with and without the X1000 Walk'N Tone Exercise Belt

Study of the physiological effects of exercise that decreases lower joint impact is needed. Participants (N = 18) were exposed to either land or water exercise that included or did not include wearing a belt. Physiological variables of caloric expenditure, net oxygen cost, net oxygen pulse, and heart rate were assessed. A 2 x 2 (Environment x Belt) analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant environment main effect for net oxygen cost and caloric expenditure. Water actually decreased the energy cost of the exercise. A 2 x 2 x 4 (Environment x Belt x Time) ANOVA revealed a significant environment main effect for net oxygen cost and caloric expenditure. Specifically, land heart rates increased over time, whereas water heart rates did not.