Randomized Clinical Trial of Water-Based Aerobic Training in Older Women (WATER Study): Functional Capacity and Quality of Life Outcomes

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 2 water-based aerobic training programs on functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) of older women.

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Methods: A total of 41 women (64.3 [3.1] y) were randomized into a continuous (CTG) and an interval (ITG) water-based aerobic training group. Training programs were performed with exercise intensity based on rating of perceived exertion throughout 12 weeks (twice a week). Functional tests with and without dual-task and QoL questionnaire were applied pretraining and posttraining. Per protocol and intention to treat analysis were conducted using generalized estimating equations, with Bonferroni post hoc test (α = .05).

Results: The per protocol analysis showed an increase in the 30-second chair stand (6% [12%] vs 18% [13%]), 6-minute walk (4% [7%] vs 2% [8%]), and 5-m habitual gait velocity (6% [11%] vs 4% [7%]) tests after CTG and ITG training groups. In addition, the intention to treat analysis revealed an increase in the 30-second chair stand test (7% [13%] vs 12% [13%]) and physical domain of QoL (8% [26%] vs 14% [22%]) after CTG and ITG training groups, as well as an increase in the gait velocity with verbal task after CTG (6% [11%]).

Conclusions: Both water-based aerobic training programs induced similar improvements in the functional capacity and maintained the QoL perception in older women.