Effects of Aquatic training on body composition and inflammatory markers in obesity elders

Background: There is limited information on the association of aquatic exercise training with CRP and IL-6 levels in elders. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks Effects of aquatic training on body composition and inflammatory markers in obesity elders. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study and pretest and post-test design, 31 obesity elder’s males (mean ± SD, age: 66.97±5.26 years and body mass index: 30.84±0.69 kg/m 2 ) were randomly into two aquatic exercise group (n=16) and control group (n=15). Exercise group performed an aquatic exercise program three sessions per week, with and intensity of 50-75% MHR, 60 minutes per session for eight weeks. Weight, BMI, PFB and serum levels of CRP and IL-6 were measured before and after the study period. The data were analyzed using paired sample t test and analysis of ANCOVA at the level of less than 0.05. Results: After 8 weeks intervention, there was significant decreases in weight, BMI, PFB, CRP and IL-6 serum levels in the aquatic exercise group compared with baseline values (p >0.05). However, ANCOVA test showed a significant decrease in PFB and CRP serum levels in the aquatic exercise group compared to the control group after intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that 8 weeks of aquatic exercise program were an effective and safe method of improving the inflammatory markers in in obesity elders. However, more research with more control is needed to determine the effects of this non-pharmacological intervention on inflammatory markers.