Effects of a physical conditioning program in the aquatic environment on health indicators in the elderly.

INTERVENTION: The intervention consisted of a training programme in an aquatic environment. Supervised resistance training was performed for 14 weeks. All sessions were conducted by a graduate in physical activity and sport sciences. The sessions were conducted in a heated pool three times a week for 60 min per session. The group was made up of all the women participants; the exercises were individual. The sessions began with a 15 min warm‐up consisting of aerobic and resistance exercises (10 min) and stretching (5 min) of all the muscle groups involved, followed by 30 min of comprehensive interval resistance training involving four 5 min sessions with a 2 min rest between each session. In each session, the same exercises (pectoral/back, hip flexor/extensor, biceps/triceps, knee flexor/extensor, shoulder and core) were performed for 1 min consecutively, with intervals of 30, 20 and 10 s and at low, moderate and high perceived intensity, respectively. According to the perceived exertion scale, when participants needed to increase the intensity of the upper hemisphere exercises, they put on resistance gloves or resistance dumbbells, whereas for the lower‐hemisphere exercises, they put on resistance anklets. Finally, in the last 10–15 min, stretching (5 min) and relaxation exercises (10 min) were performed. In all the intervention sessions, the perception of effort was controlled using the Borg scale. Additionally, all participants received the same nutritional education, based on the mediterranean diet (MD) divided into four theoretical and practical workshops of 60 min for 14 weeks in order to provide updated information about the benefits of following an adequate food pattern. Trained dietitians conducted the sessions. The topics covered in the sessions were: (1 CONDITION: Cardiovascular ‐ Hypertension Mental Health ‐ Depression Mental health;fat mass;blood pressure;functional autonomy;physical inactivity; ; Mental health ; fat mass ; blood pressure ; functional autonomy ; physical inactivity Musculoskeletal ‐ Normal musculoskeletal and cartilage development and function PRIMARY OUTCOME: Autonomy assesed by Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale (BPNES) [Baseline and after 14 weeks of intervention. ] Physical activity assessed by International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ)[Baseline and after 14 weeks of intervention. ] Autonomy assesed by Autonomy‐Supportive Coaching Questionnaire (ASCQ)[Baseline and after 14 weeks of intervention. ] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Eating habits assessed with a short questionnaire of 14 items, validated for the Spanish population and used by the Mediterranean Diet (MD) Prevention group (Predimed). The name of the questionnaire is Predimed. [Baseline and after 14 weeks of intervention. ] Enjoyment, using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory scale.[Baseline and after 14 weeks of intervention. ] Body composition measured by Anthropometry; skin folds, perimeters and diameters. Body perimeters were measured with an anthropometric tape. A pachymeter was used for the diameters. For the folds a plicometer was used. [Baseline and after 14 weeks of intervention. ] INCLUSION CRITERIA: To be over 60 years old; not to have undergone surgery in the last year; not to present musculoskeletal, neurological or orthopedic diseases that could affect the ability to perform the tests; to be able to walk independently without orthopedic assistance; and not to have previously performed any of the tests included in the study.