68 Balance deficiencies are common amongst individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), resulting in limited activities of daily living and an increased fall risk. Exercise, especially recently studied aquatic exercise, has been documented to be effective in increasing function and improving quality of life. Limited studies have examined the effects of aquatic exercise on balance outcomes using biomechanical methods. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an aquatic exercise program on balance in people with MS. The study findings were expected to provide more scientific and objective evidence to assist clinicians and rehabilitation specialists in developing effective MS intervention programs. METHODS: Twenty participants (18-65 years old) with MS were recruited, and randomly assigned to either the intervention (aquatic exercise) or control group (no exercise). The aquatic exercise intervention took place in an accessible swimming pool (82-86° F). The aquatic group (n=10) participated in one hour of aquatic exercise, two times a week for 10 weeks. Each 60- minute exercise session included a warm-up (five minutes), strength and balance training (50 minutes) and cool down (five minutes). The control group (n=10) did not participate in any exercise and were instructed to continue daily activities. Balance was measured before and after the 10-week session in both groups, using a computerized posturographic balance assessment machine. Variables assessed were latency, sway energy, transfer time, rising and impact index through the following five tests: Sensory organization test (SOT), motor control (MC) and adaptation test (AT), sit to stand (STS) and step up and over (SUO) test. RESULTS: A mixed-model ANOVA showed that there was a significant between-group interaction in MC, AT, STS and SUO (all p’s <0.05). The aquatic group showed decreases in STS and SUO time, latency in MC and sway energy in AT while the control group did not show changes in these variables. Within-group analyses showed that the aquatic group had significant decreases in STS and SUO time (all p’s <0.05). No significant difference was found in SOT for either group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that aquatic exercise can improve functional balance in people with MS. Although no statistically significant differences were found in the SOT, many participants showed a trend of improvements of static and dynamic balance after aquatic intervention. 287 Board #138 May 27, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Effects Of Resistance Training In A Clinical Picture And Physical Fitness Of A β-talessêMic. Fábio C. Pires, Priscilla Biasuz, Greicielle Arruda, Juari Régis, Milene Souza, Camila Brandão, Waléria Fett, Carlos Fett. Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil. Email: fabaotga@hotmail.com (No relationships reported) ABSTRACT: β-Talessêmic is a genetic disease characterized by an “error” on chromosome 11, which affects the β globin chain, focusing on a poor formation of hemoglobin and its oxygen carrier function, and such changes of character more serious (Major), intermediate undertaking (intermediary) or less severe (Minor). PURPOSE: To consider the proposed strength training with anaerobic characteristics as an alternative to increased levels of physical fitness and health and clinical parameters of patients with β-Talessêmic “minor” over a period of 16 weeks. METHODS: Patient with β-Talessêmic “minor”, with its proven clinical diagnosis through a hemoglobin electrophoresis was performed. Complete blood count was performed to evaluate and verify the changes in hematocrit, and blood cholesterol, blood glucose and triglyceridemia. Clinical examination to assess maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Anthropometry to measure weight, height, body mass index (BMI), body circumferences, coronary risk index (IAQ), skinfold thickness (7 site), body composition and arm muscle circumference for nutritional status. Neuromuscular parameters were shortened to verify the flexibility and maximum load test (1RM) flexitest. RESULTS: improved flexibility in all tested movements leaving a negative classification rating for positive mean. The strength of the tested body segments increased 84.96%. There was a important decrease of 19.3% in the percentage of fat and an increase of 7.12% in weight of fat free. Cardiorespiratory endurance increased by 7.5%. The arm muscle circumference allowing improved classification from normal to excellent. The coronary risk through IAQ decreased 13, 9% leaving at high-risk for normal. BMI decreased 4.38%. The hematocrit was stabilized. Total cholesterol increased by 7.7%, decreased VLDL and LDL values 5.2 and 21.42% respectively and remained stable HDL as reference. Electrophoresis showed a decrease in hemoglobin of 13% and an increase in fetal hemoglobin in hemoglobin A2 5.7%. CONCLUSION: These data support the suppose that resistance training can become a important “protagonist” in the maintenance of physical fitness and health of patients with β-Talessêmic “minor” as well as one of the clinical presentation of this pathology parameters controlling agent, however, requiring more studies and larger samples to further investigate the phenomenon resistance exercise in the lives of these individuals. 288 Board #139 May 27, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Exercise Effect On Abdominal Adiposity And Insulin Resistance, In Chronic Motor Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury William H. Scott 1 , John Perreault 2 , Peter Kochunov 3 , Peter Gorman 1 , Paula Geigle 1 . 1 University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore, MD. 2 National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. 3 Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Catonsville, MD. Email: enduranc2@yahoo.com (No relationships reported) INTRODUCTION: Individuals with Chronic Motor Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (CMISCI) exhibit a negative cardiovascular health profile. Unfortunately, exercise options aimed at modifying those cardiovascular risk factors are limited. Nonetheless, aquatic and robotic body weight supported treadmill therapies are two exercise modalities that can be utilized for individuals with CMISCI. To date, very little information is known if either modality affects the cardiovascular health profile in CMISCI. PURPOSE: To explore the effect of a two-phase exercise intervention incorporating aquatic and robotic bodyweight supported treadmill modalities on abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance in two individuals with CMISCI. This study was part of a larger randomized controlled trial of the two exercise interventions. METHODS: A 65 year old female with a T1 AIS D spinal cord injury (SCI), six years post injury, was randomized to a robotic bodyweight supported treadmill intervention for three months followed by three months of aquatic therapy. Another individual, a 32-year old male with a C7 AIS D SCI, 14 years post injury, was randomized to a three month aquatic intervention followed by three months of robotic body weight-supported treadmill therapy. Participants exercised three times a week for 45 minutes at 60-75% of heart rate reserve. Fasting blood samples were obtained to determine glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR at baseline, crossover (three months) and at the end of both treatment interventions (six months). Abdominal adiposity was assessed via Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at similar time points. RESULTS: Visceral adiposity decreased by 50% in both participants. Subcutaneous adiposity decreased by 43% in one participant but increased by 7% in the other. Both individuals displayed a 31 and 17% decrease in insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) post intervention. CONCLUSION: A combined aquatic and robotic exercise intervention appears to reduce visceral adiposity but not subcutaneous adiposity and improve insulin sensitivity in two individuals with CMISCI. Additional research is necessary to see if this observation translates to a larger sample with varying degrees of spinal cord injury. Support: DOD award SC090147 and in kind imaging by the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. 289 Board #140 May 27, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Physical Activity-Related Discussion between Pregnant Women and Prenatal Healthcare Providers Amanda K. McMahon 1 , Christopher P. Connolly 1 , James M. Pivarnik, FACSM 2 , Rebecca A. Schlaff 3 , Mark G. Lewis 2 , Robert M. Silver 4 . 1 Washington State University, Pullman, WA. 2 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. 3 Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI. 4 University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. (Sponsor: Pivarnik, FACSM) Email: amandakat777@gmail.com (No relationships reported) Copyright © 2015 by the American College of Sports Medicine. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.