Quality of life responses after combined and aerobic water-based training programs in older women: a randomized clinical trial (ACTIVE Study)

Mariana Silva Häfele, Cristine L. Alberton, Gustavo Z. Schaun, Vítor Häfele, Gabriela N. Nunes, Luana S. Andrade, Stephanie S. Pinto

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is an important health index for older adults. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 16 weeks of aerobic training to 8 weeks of aerobic followed by 8 weeks of combined (i.e., resistance and aerobic exercises) training, as well as to a control group on the QoL of older women exercising in the aquatic environment. Methods: 52 older women were first randomized to either aerobic training (n = 35) or a control group (n = 17). After 8 weeks of intervention, participants initially assigned to the aerobic training group were again randomized to either 8 additional weeks of aerobic (n = 17) or combined training (n = 18). Aerobic training was performed at the heart rate percentage associated with the anaerobic threshold, while resistance training sets were performed at maximal effort. The control group performed low-intensity water-based therapeutic exercises. QoL was assessed before (week 0) and after the intervention (week 17) using the WHOQOL-BREEF and WHOQOL-OLD questionnaires. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and Bonferroni post hoc tests (α = 0.05) were used to compare time points and groups. Results: QoL improved significantly only in the training groups after the 16-week training intervention, whereas it remained unchanged in the control group. In addition, autonomy, environment, and present, past and future activities domains were more impacted after combined training. Conclusion: QoL improved only in the water-based training groups, and the addition of resistance exercises to the training program resulted in additional benefits to autonomy, environment, and past, present, and future activities domains. Trial registration: Clinical Trials NCT03892278.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1123-1131
Number of pages9
JournalAging Clinical and Experimental Research
Volume34
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2022

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 303028 Sport science
  • 303030 Training science
  • 305908 Sports medicine

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Aquatic exercise
  • Concurrent training
  • Experimental research

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