Effect of the physical activity in water on body composition and functionality of elderly: a systematic review

Abstract

Backgropund: physical activity is a therapeutic strategy to reverse the negative effects of aging, which have shown gains body composition that are directly related to functionality, with the increase in the strength of lower limbs, balance and agility, of the older adults, which favor the the crease in injury.

Objetive: to conduct a systematic review to identify, classify and describe the most relevant scientific inputs on this phenomenon, so that the programing variables of physical activity in water can be synthesized positive effects on the health of the older adults.

Method: search was performed on 6 databases where the parameters were used PRISMA, Chocrane and York University for design. In addition, stric quality and specificity criteria were ensured to identify 11 categories of analysis, from which the programing patterns reported in the systematic review emerged.

Results: 31 studies met the established selection criteria and making a content synthesis.  Conclusions: This systematic review makes it possible to clarify the protocol of intervention in physical activity in water to reverse the negative effects of aging, taking into account the programming variables of the exercise.

Keywords: Aquatic exercise, body composition, functionality, aged.