Effects of Aquatic Exercises on Mental Health, Functional Autonomy and Muscle Efficiency in Elderly With Multimorbidity: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Background Aquatic exercises have been used for centuries to prevent and treat various diseases, improving the quality of life in the elderly. The present study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval aquatic exercise (Hydro-HIIT) on mental health parameters, functional autonomy, and muscular efficiency in elderly people with multimorbidity. Methods A total of 129 subjects were included in this randomized clinical study and were assigned to G1 (Hydro-HIIT) 1x per week (n = 24) and G2 (Hydro-HIIT) 2x per week (n = 39) for 12 weeks. All tests were performed 48 hours before the program started and 48 hours after its last session. Results After intervention, G2 showed reduction in sleepiness (-50%), anxiety (-45%) and depression (-62%), and improved markers in sleeping (+ 49%), standing and sitting autonomy (+ 37%), getting wup e walking (+ 38%), stationary march (+ 17%), arm flexion (+ 45%), leg/arm muscle endurance (+ 18%), and leg strength (+ 19%) (p < 0.05). Conclusions Hydro-HIIT twice a week improves mental health parameters, functional autonomy, and muscular efficiency in the elderly with multimorbidity.