BACKGROUND: Aquatic exercise, particularly water aerobics, is widely used to promote health and physical fitness due to its capacity to induce important physiological responses. However, evidence describing cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during a full interval water aerobics session remains limited. OBJECTIVE: To characterize cardiorespiratory responses and energy expenditure during an interval water aerobics session in young adults. METHODS: This pilot, descriptive cross-sectional study included three physically active young women (27.33 ± 10.12 years). Participants completed a 30 minute interval water aerobics session with alternating intensities based on perceived exertion. Heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (VO*) were continuously measured using an optical heart rate sensor and a portable gas analyzer, respectively. Energy expenditure (EE) was estimated from VO*. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and expressed as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: The session elicited an average HR of 128.86 ± 6.83 bpm and peak HR of 161 ± 9 bpm (68.37 ± 6.02% of HRmax). The average metabolic demand was 6.55 ± 0.37 METs, indicating moderate-to-vigorous intensity. Mean EE was 7.61 ± 0.94 kcal·min*¹, with a total EE of 254.28 ± 33.03 kcal. All physiological variables increased compared to rest and followed the interval structure of the session. CONCLUSION: An interval water aerobics program seems to promote relevant cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses, supporting its effectiveness as a strategy to improve fitness and increase energy expenditure.
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