BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hydrogymnastics may be practiced by people of different ages because it provides low impact, being an alternative to improve quality of life and health of people unable to practice impact activities. This study aimed at analyzing the effects of 12 weeks of hydrogymnastics on subjective pain perception and their influence on daily life activities, in addition to evaluating posture and fitness of hydrogymnastics practitioners. METHOD: Participated in this study 20 females aged from 30 to 50 years who went through a baseline evaluation to measure flexibility and localized muscle resistance. Anthropometric measures were body mass, height, waist and hip circumference to estimate body mass index (BMI) and waist / hip ratio (WHR). In addition, they have answered two questionnaires to evaluate pain. Twelve weeks after the pre-test, final evaluation was performed. RESULTS: There has been statistical difference in waist circumference and WHR, in addition to decreased subjective pain sensation on face and left foot. Pain started to interfere less with general activities, mood and sleep. With regard to posture, there has been no change between the beginning and the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Hydrogymnastics for 12 weeks was effective to improve some fitness items and to decrease pain; however it has not changed posture of females practicing such modality.
Fitness; Pain; Posture
