Effects of water‐based exercise in obese older women: Impact of short‐term follow‐up study on anthropometric, functional fitness and quality of life parameters

Abstract

In this study, the effects of a short-term follow-up intervention by water-based exercise (WE) on indicators of obesity in frail obese older women were investigated. A total of 28 obese older women (body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2)) aged between 60 and 75 years voluntarily took part in the study. The WE program consisted of 60-min sessions, three times a week, over 12 weeks. Training was carried out on three different days, with a 1-day rest between sessions. Each training session included a 10-min warm-up period; 45-min endurance training and a 5-min cool-down/relaxation. Anthropometric parameters, aerobic strength and muscle strength were evaluated by functional tests and quality of life. No alterations in any anthropometric parameters were found after the WE program. However, an improvement in all functional parameters (time to walk 800 m 16±1 vs 10±1 min; chair test before 21±1 vs 35±1 repetitions; and arm flexion 21±2 vs 32±1 repetitions) and self-reported quality of life (physical 68±3 vs 87±2 points; psychological 62±3 vs 82±2 points; social 63±3 vs 82±2 points; and environmental 63±3 vs 77±4 points) was found after WE. The WE program was not successful in reducing anthropometric parameters in obese older women, but it was useful in improving aerobic capacity, muscle strength and quality of life.