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Aquatic exercise and mental health: A scoping review
Morgan Jackson1, Manjot Kang1, James Furness2
1Bond Institute of Health and Sport, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine
|February 26, 2022
Summary
Aquatic exercise shows promise for improving mental health, including depression and anxiety. Further research is needed to confirm long-term benefits of water-based activities like swimming and aquatic aerobics.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Science
- Mental Health Research
- Aquatic Therapy
Background:
- Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are prevalent globally.
- Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly sought for mental health management.
- Aquatic exercise encompasses various activities performed in water, such as swimming and water aerobics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on the impact of aquatic exercise on mental health.
- To identify intervention types, volumes, and populations benefiting from aquatic exercise.
- To highlight areas for future research in aquatic exercise and mental well-being.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted.
- Systematic searches were performed across major scientific databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PsycInfo, Google Scholar).
- Studies examining aquatic exercise effects on mental health parameters were included and data extracted.
Main Results:
- 23 studies met inclusion criteria from an initial search of 1635 articles.
- 12 of the included studies were randomized controlled trials.
- Findings indicate a positive trend for aquatic exercise in improving mental health outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Aquatic exercise, including winter swimming, leisure swimming, competitive swimming, and aquatic aerobics, shows potential as a conservative therapy for mental health.
- Further research is recommended to solidify these findings and investigate the long-term effects of aquatic exercise on mental health.
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