The Effect of Eight Weeks of Aqua Therapy on Back Pain, Body Composition and Motor Function of Inactive Elderly Women

Aging is along with muscle weakness and musculoskeletal pain that requires attention and planning to control these changes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of aqua therapy on back pain, body composition, and motor function in inactive elderly women.

The present study was quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design of a suitable type. Thirty inactive elderly women were voluntarily and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed combined water exercises for eight weeks, three sessions a week with a maximum intensity of 45 to 65% of the maximum heart rate. Body composition variables were analyzed using body composition analysis device, back pain analyzed by Key Star Back 9-item questionnaires, and movement control variables such as walking speed evaluated using 10 m walking test and the ability to maintain balance analyzed with stand-up and time test, tested before and after the training protocol. And the data were analyzed using the SPSS program and independent and dependent t-test.

Based on the findings of the present study, significant improvement in body composition, including weight, fat percentage, muscle tissue, and waist to hip ratio, was observed in elderly women (P=0.001), and the results of the present study showed factors affecting motor control had a significant improvement, such as balance (P=0.001), speed (P=0.001) and physical back pain (P=0.001) and mental back pain (P=0.001) after eight weeks practicing in the water.

This study showed that as the elderly live a passive and active life, their physical health improves. To increase the range of motion of the lumbar region, stabilize the trunk, and reduce back pain, trainers and officials can use this non-invasive and low-cost method in the training program and rehabilitation of the elderly individual.