The effects of aquatic high-intensity interval training (hiit) on mental health parameters in elderly women with depression

The present study investigated the effects of aquatic HIIT on mental health parameters in elderly women with depression. The sample was composed of 31 elderly women randomized in non-depressed group (GND) (n=19) (61.5 ± 7anos; 29 ± 5 kg/m2) and depressed group (GD) (n=12) (58.9±6 years; 29 ± 4 kg/m2). Both groups participated in 24 sessions of aquatic HIIT. 48 hours before and after intervention, parameters of depression, anxiety, sleep and insomnia were quantified. The data were expressed as means ± standard errors of the mean (SEM), statistically analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni post hoc test. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. During the sessions there were significant increases (p < 00.5) in the intensity of the exercise, reaching 8 points in the Borg’s rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in both groups. There were significant reductions (p < 00.5) in depression (GND 54%), anxiety (GND 53% and GD 55%), sleep (GD 42%) and insomnia (GD 49%) scores post-training when compared to pre-training. We conclude that aquatic HIIT improves aspects related to mental health in non-depressed and depressed elderly women.