Benefits of strength training in the aquatic environment in postmenopausal women: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: The physiological and psychological changes of postmenopause directly affect the quality of life of women. Strength training and aquatic training can be an effective way to counteract these changes, but few studies have evaluated these combined benefits in postmenopausal women. The need arises to study if, by carrying out a program that meets both characteristics, benefits could be obtained in postmenopause.

Objectives: Analyze the scientific literature on studies that include strength training in the aquatic environment in postmenopausal women and verify the effectiveness in improving the parameters related to their health.

Method: 19 articles published in scientific journals were analyzed, searched in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane and Google Scholar under the search for “aquatic resistance training” AND “postmenopausal women”. These studies passed the selection filter, eliminating duplicates, studies that did not deal with the subject and those prior to 2009. Studies of two to four groups and studies that statistically demonstrated the positive influence of strength training in the aquatic environment were included.

Results: Strength training in the aquatic environment provides benefits to postmenopausal women in quality of life, muscle strength, body composition, functional capacity, balance, blood pressure, bone mineral density and osteoarthritis.

Conclusions: Strength training in the aquatic environment is effective in improving the changes experienced by postmenopausal women.

Keywords: postmenopause, physical exercise, aquatic environment, quality of life, muscular strength, aquatic program.