Differential effects of water-based exercise on the cognitive function in independent elderly adults

Abstract

Our results reveal that the benefits elderly adults may obtain from water-based exercise depend on the characteristics of each specific exercise program. These findings highlight the importance of prescription for personalized water-based exercises to elderly adults to improve cognitive function.

Effects of two programmes of combined Land-Based and Water-Based exercise on the cognitive function and fitness levels of healthy older adults

“…In this vein, Fedor 4 found that one week of water aerobics produced significant increases in the executive function, attention, and memory performance of community dwelling older adults. Similarly, Sato 17 observed that a weekly water-based exercise programme (including water cognitive tasks) for the duration of ten weeks, improved several cognitive functions, such as attention and memory in healthy elderly people. Finally, the combination of water-based and land-based exercise that has been administered in the present research seems to be an adequate protocol for the induction of improvements in the cognitive functions of healthy older adults, judging by the evidence gathered by one of the very few studies carried out on the subject 18 .…”

Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Sleep in Older Adults with Mild Sleep Impairment: a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…However, most of the evidence is based on resistance exercise, walking, or gym-based aerobic activity [15,19,20]. Aquatic exercise has the benefit of providing buoyancy for supporting body weight and reducing stress on the musculo-skeletal system and fear of falling that create barriers to exercise in some older adults [21][22][23]. Most studies examining the effects of aquatic exercise have therefore focused on adults with problems such as osteoporosis, ankylosing spondylitis, spinal cord injury, or fibromyalgia syndrome [24][25][26][27][28].…”

Factors affecting aging cognitive function among community‐dwelling older adults

“…In addition, older adults with dementia who participated in aerobic exercises and strength training showed improved cognitive visual attention and motor function (Bossers et al, 2014). In a recent study, water-based exercise to promote flexibility increased cognitive function in elderly individuals (Sato, Seko, Hashitomi, Sengoku, & Nomura, 2015). In a meta-analysis, physical activity such as Tai Chi in elderly patients without cognitive impairment improved cognitive function (Angevaren, Aufdemkampe, Verhaar, Aleman, & Vanhees, 2008;Miller & Taylor-Piliae, 2014).…”