Aqua training and its effect on physical and physiological parameters in middle-aged women

Problem statement. As individuals transition from middle age to old age, it is important for those in their middle age to adapt to and sustain a consistent level of physical activity. Aqua training can serve as a beneficial form of exercise for middle-aged women. Approach. This study investigates the effects of aqua aerobics on the physical and physiological parameters of women in their middle age. The study included 40 women (aged 35 to 45 years) from Kakching in Manipur, who were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Methods. Over a 12-week period, the experimental group participated in organised aquatic activities, while the control group maintained their regular routines. The exercise programme was carefully designed, incorporating varying levels of intensity and specific factors to optimise physical and physiological benefits. The pre- and post-test data were compared using a t-test for matched samples and ANOVA. Results. The results demonstrated significant improvements in the experimental group’s physical measures, including flexibility (FX) (t = 9.06), back strength (BS) (t = 2.093), leg strength (LS) (t = 8.07), cardiovascular endurance (CE) (t = 2.208), muscular endurance (ME) (t = 18.262), and body fat percentage (BFP) (t = 8.17). The physiological benefits included increased vital capacity (VT) (t = 6.22), peak flow rate (PFR) (t = 3.26), and improved blood pressure (systolic t = 3.26, diastolic t = 2.29). Conclusion. The results highlight the effectiveness of aqua aerobics in improving the general health and fitness of middle-aged women, demonstrating its potential as a safe and beneficial form of exercise for this group.