The purpose of this review was to analyze neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory responses during walking in water and on dry land. The responses were presented during walking in shallow and in deep water. During walking in shallow water, neuromuscular (EMG signal) and cardiorespiratory (HR and VO2) responses are very dependant on the exercise speed. Neuromuscular responses can be lower in aquatic environment when speed is lower. On other hand, when the exercise is performed in similar speeds, propulsive muscles activity can be higher walking in shallow water. Similary, higher cardiorespiratory responses are registered when similar speeds are used during the aquatic exercise. However, when it is performed at lower speeds, cardiorespiratory responses are similar or lower than the ones found on land. Concerning walking in deep water, neuromuscular responses are different from walking on land due to the absence of the ground reaction forces. This characteristic probably modifies the muscles involved in propulsive forces production during the exercise. Moreover, cardiorespiratory responses always seem to be lower than those during walking on land due to the effect of hidrostatic pressure as well as the lower posture muscles activity observed by the use of the floating belt in this modality.
walking in shallow water; walking in deep water; physiological responses