Water-based continuous and interval training in older women: Cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular outcomes (WATER study)

Ponto de deflexão da frequência cardíaca como método não invasivo para determinar o limiar anaeróbio no meio aquático em idosas treinadas

“…The sample consisted of nine physically active older women (64.3 ± 4.4 years; 69.7 ± 7.7 kg; 151.1 ± 4.6 cm; 30.6 ± 4.1 kg/m 2 ). These participants were recruited from the Effects of two water-based aerobic training programs in elderly women study (WATER Study), in which all of them completed a three-months aerobic training program in the aquatic environment with two 45-min weekly sessions [7,21]. Exclusion criteria for participation in the WATER study included history of cardiovascular disease (except for controlled hypertension) and/or osteoarticular limitations for exercise practice.…”

“…Therefore, the assessment and prescription of exercises in the aquatic environment must consider these changes to ensure an adequate control of training intensity in this environment. Hence, one of the most accurate, individualized, and recommended forms of prescription for training in the aquatic environment is the utilization of the HR or the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) considering its association to the anaerobic threshold (AT) determined in water [6][7][8]. The rationale behind this recommendation lies within the fact that the AT is the transition point between the predominance of the aerobic to anaerobic system and can be used as a more precise and individualized way to prescribe the intensity of aerobic exercises [9].…”

“…It is known that aging may have a negative impact on cardiorespiratory fitness [20], potentially reducing both maximal and submaximal HR and VO 2 (e.g., AT). Water-based aerobic programs, on the other hand, have been shown as an important tool for minimizing such losses, improving cardiorespiratory, neuromuscular, and functional outcomes, as well as quality of life, in older individuals [7,21]. These exercises are also traditionally indicated to the older population because they provide a lower impact on lower limb joints [22] and cardiovascular overload [23] when compared to the land environment.…”

“…Thus, considering that HR and RPE have been widely used to control intensity during water fitness training sessions in older individuals [7,[24][25][26][27][28], its determination associated with the AT becomes fundamental. In addition, the intensity prescription based on the RPE is simple and easily applicable during group classes.…”

Relationship between Oxygen Uptake, Heart Rate, and Perceived Effort in an Aquatic Incremental Test in Older Women

“…Collectively, these characteristics favor adherence of older individuals to this type of exercise, whose environment appears to be safe for those individuals who usually present cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders, highly prevalent in the elderly [13,14]. In fact, the effectiveness of exercise programs in the aquatic environment, prescribed to older individuals on the basis of heart rate (HR) and RPE, has already been demonstrated in several investigations analyzing parameters of physical fitness and quality of life [15][16][17][18][19][20].…”