Water-Based Training Programs Improve Functional Capacity, Cognitive and Hemodynamic Outcomes? The ACTIVE Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Exercise Physiology
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Aging is associated with declines in functional capacity and increased cardiovascular risk.
• Exercise interventions are crucial for maintaining health and independence in older adults.
• Aquatic environments offer a low-impact setting for exercise in older populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of 16 weeks of aerobic training (AT) versus 8 weeks of AT followed by 8 weeks of combined training (CT) against a control group (CG).
• To evaluate the impact of these aquatic exercise interventions on functional, cognitive, and hemodynamic responses in older women.
• To determine the efficacy of different water-based exercise modalities in improving health outcomes for elderly women.

Main Methods:

• A three-armed parallel randomized controlled trial involving 52 older women.
• Interventions included 16 weeks of aerobic training (AT), 8 weeks AT + 8 weeks combined training (CT), and a control group (CG) performing therapeutic exercises.
• Outcomes assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention using standardized functional, cognitive, and hemodynamic measures.

Main Results:

• All groups, including the control group, demonstrated significant improvements in functional capacity (3-11%) and blood pressure (-4 to -10%).
• No significant changes in cognitive function were observed in any of the training or control groups.
• Both aerobic training and combined training protocols, as well as low-intensity therapeutic exercises, yielded comparable benefits in physical and hemodynamic parameters.

Conclusions:

• Water-based exercise programs, including combined training and even low-intensity therapeutic exercises, are effective in enhancing functional capacity and improving blood pressure in older women.
• Cognitive function in older women is not significantly affected by these types of aquatic exercise interventions within the study duration.
• The findings support the implementation of aquatic exercise for improving physical health and cardiovascular markers in the aging population.