BACKGROUND: Community-based exercise programs for older adults often face seasonality due to academic recesses, yet the impact of these inactivity periods remains understudied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a 3-month training cessation period on the physical fitness of older adults; METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study monitored participants of the Reference Center for Aging and Movement (CREM) during the 3-month recess (December-February). Specifically, only individuals enrolled in deep-water running and water-based exercise programs were included in the final sample. Physical fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test battery. Data were analyzed via Generalized Estimating Equations, including time (within-subject) and interaction terms for age (60-69 or 70-79 years) and leisure-time physical activity (engaged or not engaged). Cohen`s d effect sizes and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated for temporal comparisons; RESULTS: 174 older adults (82% female; 70.36±4.67 years) were included. A significant main effect of time was found for upper limb strength, which increased from 20.10±0.39 to 21.90±0.44 repetitions (d=0.39; 95%CI=0.14 to 0.64; p < 0.001), and dynamic balance, which improved from 5.97±0.13 to 5.67±0.12s (d = 0.21; 95%CI=0.11 to 0.31; p < 0.001). No significant time effects were observed for lower limb strength, flexibility, or aerobic endurance (p > 0.05). No interactions were found for age or leisure-time physical activity (p > 0.05); CONCLUSIONS: A three-month training cessation period was not sufficient to negatively affect the physical fitness of community-dwelling older adults, suggesting that well-structured aquatic programs foster physical resilience against temporary interruptions.
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