BACKGROUND: Aging is associated with physiological changes that compromise muscle strength and functional autonomy in older adults. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of water aerobics (WA) and deep-water running (DWR) on the physical fitness of older women. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial composed of 74 untrained older women (*60 years), distributed into WA (n = 25), DWR (n = 25), and control (CG, n = 24) groups. The intervention lasted 12 weeks, with a frequency of two 45-minute sessions per week. Lower limb strength (LLS), upper limb strength (ULS), agility/balance (E244), lower limb flexibility (LLF), upper limb flexibility (ULF), cardiorespiratory capacity (TC6), and handgrip strength (HS) were evaluated. Data were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). RESULTS: A significant interaction was observed in ULF (p = 0.01), indicating distinct responses among groups over time. In addition, significant time effects were observed for LLS, ULS, LLF, and E244. TC6 and handgrip strength (HS) remained stable across all groups. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that water aerobics and deep-water running presented similar effects on the physical fitness of older women after 12 weeks of intervention, with no superiority of one modality over the other. The results suggest improvements in dynamic strength, dynamic balance, and flexibility.
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