Benefícios físicos e psicológicos em idosos que praticam atividades aquáticas: revisão sistemática.

Abstract

With the aging process, morphological, functional and biochemical changes occur, affecting the physical abilities and psychological aspects of the individual, and added to physical inactivity, it results in chronic diseases, leaving the elderly in a state of vulnerability. The habit of swimming and water aerobics provides the elderly with a series of physical and psychological benefits, due to the physical characteristics of this environment, such as buoyancy and viscosity, and factors related to social interaction. This study followed the PRISMA recommendations, and was carried out in May 2023 in five databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, SportDiscus and Scielo. The search terms were related to the population (elderly) and intervention (water activities), articles that brought results of benefits for the elderly through these interventions were selected. The effects of aquatic activities on the physical health of the elderly were found to improve balance, improve cardiorespiratory fitness, increase muscle strength and hypertrophy, improve endothelial function, improve muscle stiffness, improve blood pressure regulation, and the effects of aquatic activities on the psychological health of the elderly were an improvement in depression levels and an increase in quality of life. Conclusion: Physical activities in the aquatic environment are an efficient way to positively affect reduced physical capacities, and positively affect psychological factors, such as quality of life and depression, providing physical and psychological well-being