BACKGROUND: Much of the evidence based on aquatic exercise training is limited to intervention periods of three to six months, and little is known about the behavior of physical fitness in long-term programs. The aim is to analyze the effects of an aquatic exercise program on the physical fitness of community-dwelling older adults; METHODS: This study employed a single-center, longitudinal (4-year), quasi-experimental design involving community-dwelling older adults recruited from the Reference Center for Aging and Movement (CREM) program (Porto Alegre, Brazil). The sample was drawn from participants engaged in deep-water running and water-based exercise modalities. The training protocol consisted of two weekly 45-minute sessions of aerobic and/or combined training. Physical fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test battery at the beginning and end of each annual edition of the program; RESULTS: Lower-body strength increased significantly for two consecutive years, reaching a plateau in years three and four (*=28%; d=0.60; 95%CI:0.38-0.82). Upper-body strength remained constant during the first year, improved consecutively in years two and three, and reached a plateau in year four (*=27%; d=0.76; 95%CI:0.52-1.00). Despite showing significant differences, lower-body flexibility (*=3cm; d=0.22; 95%CI:0.01-0.43) and aerobic endurance (*=0%; d=-0.01; 95%CI:-0.22-0.19) did not demonstrate consistent changes in year-to-year comparisons. Upper-body flexibility and dynamic balance showed no significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: An aquatic exercise program significantly improved upper and lower limb strength while effectively maintaining baseline levels of flexibility, dynamic balance, and aerobic endurance in community-dwelling older adults over a four-year period.
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