Comparing durability of water- and land-based exercise benefits among older adults in South Korea: A randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Aquatic exercise can improve strength, flexibility, and aerobic function while safely providing partial weight-bearing support through viscosity and buoyancy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of water-based exercise with land-based exercise before and after a 10-week exercise intervention and again at one-year follow-up. METHODS: Eighty participants aged 65 years and older were randomly assigned to either a water- or a land-based 10-week exercise program. Assessment included the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), the Modified Falls-Efficacy Scale, and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Hip and knee strength was also measured. All assessments were completed at three time points: pre(T1), post- (T2), and at 1-year follow-up (T3). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the two groups on three parameters: the SFT timed up-and-go test; lower hip muscle strength in extension, adduction, and external rotation; and quality of life (QoL) measured by the SF-36 (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the SFT chair stand test, dominant arm curl test, two-minute step test, chair sit-and-reach test, back scratch test, and Modified Falls-Efficacy Scale. CONCLUSION: Aquatic exercise provided greater improvement of physical health and QoL among older people than land-based exercise.

Automated summary

Aquatic exercise showed greater improvement in physical health and quality of life among older people compared to land-based exercise, particularly in the SFT timed up-and-go test.