Background: Aging is associated with progressive declines in physical fitness, including muscle strength, cardiorespiratory capacity, and functional mobility, directly impacting independence and quality of life. Aquatic exercise has been widely used as a safe and effective strategy to promote health in older adults due to reduced joint impact and better control of exercise intensity. In this context, it is relevant to investigate how aquatic exercise programs influence physical fitness components, considering principles of eligibility and responsibility in exercise prescription. Aim: Analyze the effects of an aquatic exercise program on physical fitness variables in older adults. Methods: This is an experimental study involving 24 older adults who chose to take part in aquatic exercise programmes in the CREM university extension, Deep Water Exercise (DWE, n=12, 64 ± 6.6 years, 88.45 ± 16.6 weight, 169 ± 10.3 height, 29.4 ± 5.2 body mass index, 6 men) or Postural Aquatic Exercise (PAE, n=12, 70 ± 6.5 years, 63.65 ± 16.4 weight, 157.5 ± 8 height, 26.5 ± 6.8 body mass index, 1 man). Eligibility criteria included age *60 years and medical clearance for physical activity. Under the supervision of Physical Education teachers and student assistants both in and out of the water, the intensity of the activities was monitored and adjusted individually based on the participants subjective perception of exertion, using the Borg scale. The programme followed a standardised lesson structure comprising 50-minute sessions, held twice a week on alternate days, with a training schedule featuring a progression in volume and intensity over the eight-month period. The structure of both disciplines of a 10-minute warm-up, the main session lasting an average of 35 minutes, and a 5-minute cool-down. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention, including tests of muscle strength (30-second elbow flexion test, 30-second sit-to-stand test), flexibility (back-to-back reach test, sit-and-reach test), balance (Stand-up, Walk 2.44 m and Sit Down test), and functional capacity (6-minute walk test and of the 10-metre walk test). The data were analysed using JASP software (version 18.3). Mean and standard deviation were calculated for descriptive statistical analysis. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the normality of the data, and a paired t-test was performed to compare pre- and post-assessment data, with a significance level of p * = 0.05. Results: Both groups achieved gains in arm strength (DWE 18.1 ± 4.6 vs. 23.7 ± 2.9, p=0.05, d=0.36, PAE 18.6 ± 6.2, vs. 20.9 ± 6.1, p<0.02, d= 0.93), however, there was a reduction in walking speed (SSWSDT for DWE 1.35 ± 0.2 vs. 1.15±0.1, p<0.001, d=1.18 and PAE, 1.31 ± 0.2, vs. 1.28 ± 0.3, p=0.02, d=0.85), and VMAX for DWE (1.77 ± 0.2 vs. 1.63 ± 0.2, p= 0.02, d= 0.64). There was a significant decline in dual-task walking, with a large effect size. Conclusions: Aquatic exercise is a safe and effective strategy to improve physical fitness, maintain functionality, and promote health in older adults when properly supervised and aligned with eligibility criteria.
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