This study examined the effects of water-based execise on psychological well-being and physical fitness in older adults, employing both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Forty (males = 12; females = 28) sedentary older adults were randomly assigned to either a water-based exercise group (n = 20) or a waiting control group (n = 20). Water-based exercise intervention lasted for a 12-week period. Every subject participated in three supervised sessions per week. During each session, subjects in the water-based exercise group performed 70 min of an execise program consisting of 10 min of warming-up, 20 min of brisk walking, 20 min of rhythmic dancing, 10 min of resistance training, and 10 min of cooling down exercise. Before and after the intervention, each participant's aerobic fitness, muscular strength, psychological mood states, and anxiety were quantitatively assessed. In order to help interpret and explain the quantitative findings, subjects in the exercise group were interviewed about the effectiveness of water exercise after completion of the exercise program. Quantitative results indicated that there was significant Group X Time interaction for aerobic fitness, muscular strength, psychological mood states, and anxiety. Qualitative analysis revealed that, subjects perceived positive changes in a wide range of significant life areas, and that the perceived improvement was closely related to the quantitative results. For example, many subjects felt that it was easier to perform their daily tasks such as climbing stairs, waking, and carrying baggage than before participating in the exercise. It is concluded that this water-based exercise program is significantly effective for quantitative and qualitative improvement of both psychological well-being and physical fitness.
View full abstract