Effects of aquatic physical exercise on motor risk factors for falls in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of aquatic training on motor risk factors for falls in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out with older people, divided into an Aquatic Training Group (ATG) (n=24) and a Control Group (CG) (n=25). Muscle strength was assessed by the 5-times Sit-to-Stand test; mobility by the simple and dual task Timed up and Go (TUG) test; and postural stability through stabilometric data (force platform). The CG received monthly calls to monitor general health. The ATG carried out training lasting 16 weeks, with 2 1-hour sessions per week.

Results: Both groups improved muscular strength and cognitive-motor task and they performed a dual task with fewer errors in the secondary task after 16 weeks regardless of the pandemic and COVID-19 diagnosis. There was a significant decrease in the area of center of pressure displacement in the tandem posture with eyes closed in the CG. When analyzing participants who adhered at least 50% to the intervention, the ATG significantly reduced the number of steps on the TUG performance. Both groups improved the muscular strength and cognitive-motor task and increased the cognitive task cost. In the CG, there was a significant decrease in the mean amplitude of the anteroposterior center of pressure displacement in the feet together with eyes open. Conclusions: We found that aquatic physical exercise presented positive effects on some potentially modifiable motor risk factors for falls (mobility and muscle strength) regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 diagnosis, especially among people who adhered to the intervention.