This study was intended to investigate thigh-muscle activity during deep-water running (DWR) (Exp. 1), along with the effects of intervention with upright-floating (UF) exercise on balance ability in elderly (Exp. 2). Exp. 1: Nine healthy males (25.0 ± 0.5 yrs) performed DWR and water walking (WW). The surface electromyogram (EMG) electrodes were placed on the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF). The mean electromyogram (mEMG) of the BF during the DWR showed significantly higher values than that during the WW Exp. 2: Fourteen healthy elderly persons (60.8 ± 5.3 yrs) participated in a once-a-week water exercise program of 12 weeks. They were separated into a normal and an UF group. The UF group improved the body-sway area (30 s, eyes open) and tandem walk time (10 steps). It was constdered that the htgh stimulus of the BF during DWR affected the improvement of the balance ability in UF.
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