Weight-Loss Parameters and Quality of Life in Obese Aged Women Using WATERinMOTION

 There are controversial studies on weight loss, cardiometabolic markers, and quality of life (QOL) in obese aged women participating in water sports.

 This study aimed to determine the effects of the WATERinMOTION exercise program accompanied with no diet on the inactive obese aged women’s weight, cardiometabolic markers, and QOL.

 Sixty-four inactive obese aged women were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study at the Ukrainian Sports Center, Kyiv, 2019. They were randomly assigned into two Case (n = 32, with the WATERinMOTION aquatics exercise program) and control (n = 32, held in a sitting position simultaneously) groups using the convenient sampling method. The two programs were run twice a week (55 minutes each time) and lasted for one month. Moreover, anthropometric indices (weight, height, waist circumference), cardiometabolic markers (blood lipid markers and glycaemia), QOL (SF-36 questionnaire), and dietary monitoring were assessed before and after the intervention.

 The groups did not differ significantly regarding each of the analyzed variables prior to the intervention. Comparing pre-and post-intervention results revealed significant weight loss (-1.3, P = 0.004) and average BMI (-0.4, P = 0.002) in the case group. Moreover, a significant variation was revealed only in terms of weight after the intervention (P = 0.001). Regarding QOL, improvements in health status, vitality, and social aspects were significant in the case group after the intervention.

 The present study suggests that the WATERinMOTION program accompanied with no diet has a positive effect on weight loss, waist circumference, and metabolic profiles in obese aged women. However, the improvement in the QOL should not be neglected.