Systematic review of aquatic physical exercise programs on functional fitness in older adults

Abstract

The practice of physical exercise is recommended in the prevention of the deterioration of neuromuscular functions in aging. The objectives of this systematic review were to describe the protocols used and the functional fitness indicators evaluated in aquatic exercise programs in adults aged 50 to 80 years. The Pubmed database was used. The keywords were: 1) Physical exercise program or protocols or duration or type of exercise or aquatic exercise, frequency or intensity or indicators; 2) Adults or older adults; 3) Training or indicators, functional fitness, physical fitness. The search strategy considered the components of the Population, Interventions, Comparators, Outcomes, and Study design (PICOS) tool. Nine experimental studies were identified. These studies developed protocols to improve functional fitness in adults aged 50 to 80 years. They were based on sessions of 2 to 5 per week, the work time per session was 30 to 60min, intensities varied between 50 to 95% and totaled between 4 to 24 weeks of intervention. The activities were based on aquatic gymnastic exercises aimed at muscular strengthening of the upper and lower extremities, as well as coordination, balance, agility, cycling and walking exercises submerged in water. The protocols developed to improve functional fitness in adults aged 50 to 80 years were based on general physical exercise prescription guidelines (frequency, duration, intensity and type of activity). The application of aquatic exercises based on gymnastic exercises can provoke positive responses on functional fitness if worked at least 2 to 5 times per week, 30 to 60min/day and at intensities of 50 to 95%. These systematized indicators can be used by professionals working with adults to create and promote aquatic programs to improve functional fitness.

The Effectiveness of Water- versus Land-Based Exercise on Specific Measures of Physical Fitness in Healthy Older Adults: An Integrative Review

“…For instance, the systematic review by Bergamin et al [16] that analyzed the effectiveness of water-based exercise interventions in older adults reported strong evidence underpinning the use of this type of exercise to promote cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength. Similar conclusions were reported in a more recent systematic review [37] that underlined the positive responses on functional fitness after participating in WBE programs in healthy older adults. In this case, specific recommendations regarding the training characteristics (i.e., frequency, duration, intensity) were also provided.…”

The Effectiveness of Aquatic Exercises in Improving Balance and Gait in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

“…It is also congruent with the systematic review by (Song & Oh, 2022), which confirmed that the exercise programs are effective and safe for patients with knee OA. A comparison of the effectiveness of aquatic and land-based exercises favoured aquatic exercises as more satisfactory for patients with knee OA (Dong et al, 2018) .Aquatic exercises had also been found to improve functional capacity and fitness when administered in older adults (Lopez et al, 2021). The properties of water like waves, water temperature, and hydrostatic pressure provide relaxation of muscles and soothing effects to the joints to help alleviate pressure from joints and reduce the pain caused by compression on the joint (Bender et al, 2005).…”

Exploring the Impact of Combined Thai Yoga and Elastic Band Exercise on Physical Fitness and Exercise Capacity in Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

“…Lifestyle modification, particularly regular exercise, is recommended as a nonpharmacological therapeutic strategy for managing T2DM (Leite et al, 2020). The underlying principle is that working muscles enhance insulin sensitivity and promote glucose metabolism (Mogharnasi et al, 2019), positively affecting glycemic control, body composition, endothelial function, physical fitness, functional capacity, and self-reported wellbeing (Balaji et al, 2011;Barrows & Fleury, 2022;Fuentes-Lopez et al, 2021;Honda et al, 2021).…”