PURPOSE: To determine whether a 12-week, lower body-targeted aqua-plyometric (AquaPlyo) exercise program could improve muscle strength, bone mineral properties, and physical fitness in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was adopted and included 48 patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (age 12 to 18 y). Patients were assigned to undergo either AquaPlyo exercises (AquaPlyo group, n = 24) or standard exercises (control group, n = 24). The outcome measures were assessed pretreatment and posttreatment and included concentric quadriceps peak torque, bone mineral properties (areal bone mineral density (BMD), volumetric BMD, bone mineral content, and BMD Z score), and physical fitness. RESULTS: A significant posttreatment increase in the concentric quadriceps peak torque was detected in the AquaPlyo group compared with the control group (either at an angular velocity of 90degree/s (right side: p = 0.016, left side: p = 0.025) or 180degree/s (right side: p = 0.007, left side: p = 0.029)). Besides, a considerably greater improvement in the areal BMD (p = 0.0006), volumetric BMD (p = 0.027), bone mineral content (p = 0.002), and BMD Z score (p = 0.0004) was observed in the AquaPlyo group. Moreover, a remarkably greater rise in the physical fitness (p < 0.001) was revealed in the AquaPlyo group. CONCLUSION: AquaPlyo training can efficiently enhance muscle strength, improve bone mineral properties, and boost physical fitness in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

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