BACKGROUND: Depression is a serious disorder among older adults, who constitute a particularly vulnerable population. Physical activity emerges as a viable strategy to help mitigate this scenario. The aim of this study was to track the trajectory of depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults engaged in aquatic activities. METHODS: This study adopted a longitudinal, pragmatic, quasi-experimental design involving older adults enrolled at the Center for Reference in Aging and Movement (CREM). The sample was selected from aquatic modalities, including water aerobics and deep-water running. The program was conducted annually and followed a protocol consisting of two weekly sessions of aerobic and/or combined training, each lasting 45 minutes, with intensity controlled using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (6-20). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) questionnaire at the beginning and end of each year; four annual cycles were analyzed. RESULTS: The findings revealed a 60% reduction (from 4.4±2.2 to 1.8±1.5; p < 0.001) in depressive symptom scores in the overall sample by the end of the fourth year compared to baseline. Interaction analysis indicated that the improvement was more pronounced in the subgroup with moderate to severe symptoms, whose mean scores decreased by 80% (from 7±2 to 1.4±0.8 points; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults engaged in the aquatic training program exhibited a reduction in depressive symptoms, particularly in more severe cases, with a significant improvement observed in the initial years and subsequent maintenance of these gains.
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