Influence of a medium-impact aquaerobic program on health-related quality of life and fitness level in healthy adult females.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of the study was to examine the influence of a medium-impact aquaerobic program on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and health-related fitness (HRF) level of middle-aged healthy female subjects. METHODS: Twenty apparently healthy women (mean age 43.1 [standard deviation 9.7] years) participated in the study. Criteria for inclusion were absence of diagnosed illnesses, as well and signs and symptoms of disease as evaluated by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire. Participants carried out a medium-impact aquaerobic exercise program consisting of 2 weekly sessions of 60 min during 8 months. Before and after the exercise program, HRQoL was assessed by the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) questionnaire, and HRF was measured using a simplified version of the AFISAL-INEFC HRF test battery. RESULTS: Following the exercise program, an increase in all domains of HRQoL, except general health and role-emotional, was observed. Total body mass and body fat percentage decreased, and estimated aerobic power increased. CONCLUSION: Completion of a medium-impact aquaerobic program (2 weekly sessions of 60 min during 8 months) improves HRQoL in most domains, particularly bodily pain and vitality, and shows to be among the most effective programs for improving perceived quality of life. Moreover, this exercise program proved to have a positive influence on the body composition and functional capacity of the subjects, being effective in reducing fat body mass and improving cardiorespiratory function.