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

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.