Aquatic Exercises Combined With Cognitive Tasks for Older Adults
Recruiting now · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Aging
In brief
The aquatic environment has characteristics that favor the adherence of older adults to exercise programs, and studies have shown that programs in this setting are effective in enhancing various aspects of physical fitness as well as cognitive function in this population. Research has explored whether incorporating cognitive tasks into an aquatic exercise program could offer additional benefits, but it remains uncertain whether this approach leads to greater improvements in cognitive function compared to aquatic exercises alone. The present protocol reports the WaterCog Study, which aims to evaluate the effects of an aquatic aerobic exercise program combined with cognitive tasks, compared to a conventional aquatic aerobic exercise program and a control group, on cognitive function and other health-related outcomes in older adults. This trial is a randomized, single-blinded, three-arm, parallel, superiority trial. A total of 98 older adults are randomized into one of three groups: 1) an aquatic aerobic exercise program combined with cognitive tasks, 2) a conventional aquatic aerobic exercise program, and 3) a control group. Participants in both exercise groups complete a 12-week exercise program with two weekly sessions on non-consecutive days. The primary outcome is cognitive function, while secondary outcomes include physical function, cardiovascular, and psychosocial parameters. Outcomes are measured at baseline, post-intervention, and at the 12-week follow-up after the end of the intervention period. The analysis plan will employ an intention-to-treat approach and per-protocol criteria. The conceptual hypothesis of the study is that both training programs will significantly improve the investigated outcomes compared to the control group. Additionally, it is expected that aquatic exercises with cognitive tasks will promote additional benefits in cognitive function, with similar gains in physical function, cardiovascular, and psychosocial parameters compared to conventional aquatic aerobic exercises in post-intervention and follow-up measures.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07156708
- Run by
- Federal University of Pelotas
- People needed
- 98
- Starts
- 2025-09-05
- Expected to finish
- 2027-08-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2025-09-09
Who can join
Age: 60 and older, up to 75. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Older women aged 60 and 75 years;
- Being physically inactive, meaning not participating in physical exercise for at least six months (regular exercise is defined as engaging in any physical training for a minimum of 20 minutes on two or more days a week).
You may not qualify if…
- History of cardiovascular disease (except controlled hypertension);
- Osteoarticular limitations for the practice of exercises;
- Being illiterate due to the self-completion questionnaires and the characteristics of the intervention;
- Diagnosis of dementia, schizophrenia, or major depressive disorder.
Where it is running
- Escola Superior de Educação Física e Fisioterapia — Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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