Impact of swimming initiation on the physical fitness and mental health of elderly women

• Published in: Acta scientiarum. Health sciences Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 43221 - e43221
• Main Authors: de Oliveira, Daniel Vicentini, Muzolon, Lucas Guilherme, Antunes, Mateus Dias, do Nascimento, Jose Roberto Andrade, Jr
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Maringa Universidade Estadual de Maringa 01-01-2019; Editora da Universidade Estadual de Maringá - EDUEM; Universidade Estadual de Maringá
• Subjects: Aging; Anxiety; Elementary education; Geriatrics; gerontology; Health sciences; Mental health; motor activity; Older people; Physical education; Physical fitness; Psychological aspects; Quality of life; Self esteem; Swimming; Womens health; Brasil
• ISSN: 1679-9291; 1807-8648
• DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v41i1.43221

This quasi-experimental study aimed to analyze the impact of swimming initiation on the physical fitness and mental health of 10 elderly women. It used the Senior Fitness Test, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, the WHOQOL-BREF and the WHOQOL-OLD. The program involved 12 weeks of swimming initiation lessons, twice a week. There was significant difference between pre- and post-test in ‘sit-to-stand’ (p = 0.005), ‘elbow flexion’ (p = 0.007), ‘walk 2.44 m and sit’ (p = .005), ‘walk 6 min.’ (p = 0.005), as well as in anxiety (p = 0.005), stress (p = 0.005), self-esteem (p = 0.007) and quality of life (p < 0.05). Swimming was effective in improving the physical fitness and mental health of the elderly women.