(Press-News.org) Water/aqua aerobics for 10 or more weeks at a time can trim waist size and aid weight loss, finds a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published in the open access journal BMJ Open
This type of exercise is particularly effective in overweight/obese women and the over 45s, the analysis indicates.
Global estimates for 2022 indicate that more than 43% of adults worldwide were overweight, and that 504 million women and 374 million men were obese, note the researchers, adding that obesity contributes to an estimated 2.8 million deaths every year.
The buoyancy of water helps reduce joint injuries commonly associated with land based exercise in those who are overweight or obese, explain the researchers. And while water/aqua aerobics are recommended for weight loss in this group, it’s not clear exactly what impact this type of exercise has on body composition, especially central obesity.
To find out, the researchers scoured research databases, looking for relevant studies published up to the end of 2021 that compared water/aqua aerobics with other types of exercise or nothing in adults who were overweight or obese, defined as a BMI of at least 30.
The results of 10 clinical trials in which the 286 participants (age range 20 to 70) were randomly assigned to an intervention were included in the pooled data analysis. The trials were carried out in Malaysia, Brazil, India, the USA, and the Netherlands.
The types of water exercises included aerobics, zumba, yoga, and jogging, for periods of between 6 and 12 weeks across all included trials. Exercise frequency was mostly twice or three times a week, with most sessions lasting 60 minutes.
The analysis revealed that water/aqua aerobics was effective at reducing overall weight by an average of nearly 3 kilos and trimming waist circumference by 3 cm in participants who were obese or overweight.
A total of 10 studies including 286 obese or overweight individuals were included in this work and did not further differentiate between obese or overweight individuals.
But participating in water/aqua aerobics wasn’t associated with a reduction in BMI, percentage body fat, fat tissue, the midriff bulge (waist to hip ratio) or hip circumference.
Further detailed analysis of the results showed that exercise periods lasting more than 10 weeks (12 weeks) significantly reduced body weight by more than 3 kilos and waist circumference by nearly 3 cm in women and those aged 45 and older.
The results of this study only indicate that water aerobics have an effect on reducing waist circumference in both men and women, and further research is needed to determine whether they can be reduced to the normal waist circumference values for adult men and women.
There was little evidence of any impact on the body composition of men—although few men were included in the trials—nor those younger than 45.
The quality of evidence for each outcome was evaluated using the GRADE system, which rates the certainty of evidence in systematic reviews and other evidence syntheses.
This indicated that the quality of evidence was moderate for body weight and waist circumference; low for BMI, lean mass, fat mass, waist to hip ratio and hip circumference; and very low for percentage body fat, primarily due to the small number of participants in whom this was assessed and that the design and methodology of the included studies varied considerably.
And the researchers acknowledge various limitations to their findings. Only studies published in English were considered and some included short (6 weeks) intervention periods and/or small numbers of participants.
But they suggest that, “the moderate certainty of evidence for [body weight] and [waist circumference] supports the use of [water aerobics] as an effective intervention for reducing overall body weight and central obesity, which are critical factors in managing obesity-related health risks.”
And they conclude: “Future research should aim to address these limitations by conducting larger, well-designed [randomised controlled trials] with standardised methodologies and diverse populations. Additionally, investigating the long-term effects of [water aerobics] and comparing its efficacy with other exercise modalities will provide valuable insights.”
END
Water aerobics for more than 10 weeks can trim waist size and aid weight loss
Particularly effective in women and middle aged + older adults, pooled data analysis shows
2025-03-11
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
New study in the Lancet HIV highlights gaps in HPV-related cancer prevention for people living with HIV
2025-03-11
A new study published in The Lancet HIV reveals gaps in knowledge surrounding the prevention of HPV-related cancers in people living with HIV and outlines future research priorities. A literature review, conducted by a team of international experts underscores the need for further research and highlights existing disparities in healthcare for this vulnerable population.
HPV-related cancers are preventable, primarily through vaccination. However, a Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Tartu and one of the study’s authors Anneli Uusküla said that the study found a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of ...
Growth rates of broilers contribute to behavior differences, shed light on welfare impacts
2025-03-11
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As poultry companies weigh cost and efficiency with higher animal welfare standards, research comparing conventional and slow-growing broiler breeds showed that the slow-growing chickens displayed behaviors more closely associated with positive welfare.
Broilers — chickens specifically bred for meat production — are typically raised for six to eight weeks, while slow-growing broilers need up to 12 weeks to reach maturity.
Though gaining popularity in some European ...
Nature-inspired 3D-printing method shoots up faster than bamboo
2025-03-11
Charging forward at top speed, a garden snail slimes up 1 millimeter of pavement per second. By this logic, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology researchers’ new 3D printing process speeds past existing methods — at a snail’s pace.
Researchers in Beckman’s Autonomous Materials Systems Group created “growth printing,” which mimics tree trunks’ outward expansion to print polymer parts quickly and efficiently without the molds and expensive equipment typically associated with 3D printing. Their work appears in the journal Advanced Materials.
“Humans ...
Scientists create a type of catalog, the ‘colocatome,’ of non-cancerous cells’ influence on cancer
2025-03-11
Even cells experience peer pressure.
Scientists have long studied the ins and outs of cancer cells to learn more about the disease, but they’re increasingly finding that noncancerous cells near the cancer cells exert a powerful influence over a tumor’s trajectory.
“Not all cells in a tumor are cancer cells — they’re not even always the most dominant cell type,” said Sylvia Plevritis, PhD, chair of Stanford Medicine’s department of biomedical data science. “There are many other cell types that support tumors.”
To better capture the whole picture of cells’ locations and interactions, Plevritis ...
MSU researchers use unique approaches to study plants in future conditions
2025-03-11
As major changes continue for our planet’s climate, scientists are concerned about how plants will grow and adapt.
Researchers in the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, or PRL, Sharkey lab are studying changes in plant metabolism that occur when plants are grown in high light, high CO2 (HLHC) conditions.
They found that under these conditions, plants photosynthesize more, which can lead to larger plants, and potentially larger crop yields. However, there are tradeoffs; scientists also found that plants lose carbon under these conditions, which they need to make food. This ...
More than marks: How wellbeing shapes academic success
2025-03-11
With Australia’s National Assessment Program (NAPLAN) beginning today, new research from the University of South Australia highlights a critical but often overlooked factor in student success – wellbeing.
In a world first* study of more than 215,000 students, UniSA researchers found that while standardised tests measure academic skills, different dimensions of wellbeing - emotional wellbeing, engagement, and learning readiness - can play a crucial role in performance.
Specifically, the study found that learning readiness - which includes foundational skills such as perseverance, confidence, and engagement ...
Study quantifies loss of disability-free years of life from COVID-19 pandemic
2025-03-11
Among 289 million adults in 18 European countries, more than 16 million years of life were lost from 2020 through 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study published March 11th in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Sara Ahmadi-Abhari of Imperial College London, UK, and colleagues.
The direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on both total and disability-free years of life lost are important for policy setting and resource allocation, but they have not been thoroughly investigated.
In the new study, researchers ...
Butterflies choose mates because they are more attractive, not just easier to see
2025-03-11
A simple neural change alters mating preferences in male butterflies, aiding rapid behavioral evolution, Nicholas VanKuren and Nathan Buerkle at the University of Chicago, US, and colleagues, report March 11th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology.
Heliconius are a group of tropical butterflies known for their wide variety of wing patterns and colors, which act as a warning to predators. Because wing coloration is crucial for their survival, males have evolved a preference for females with the same wing color. But the sensory and neurological mechanisms behind these preferences are poorly understood.
Researchers ...
SwRI receives $3 million NASA astrobiology grant to study microbial life in Alaska’s arctic sand dunes
2025-03-11
SAN ANTONIO — March 11, 2025 —Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has received a three-year, $2,999,998 million grant from NASA to identify and characterize life and its biosignatures in frozen sand dunes in Alaska, under conditions similar to dune fields on early Mars and Saturn’s moon Titan. The Assessing Regional Reflectors of Astrobiology in Kobuk dunes for Interplanetary Science (ARRAKIS) project team, which includes researchers from Brigham Young University and the University of California—Davis, seek insight into ...
Inequality destroys the benefits of positive economic growth for the poor
2025-03-11
A unique analysis of district-level data reveals why inequality is so destructive to the home consumption welfare of people living below the poverty line, especially during times of significant economic decline, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. During negative economic growth, the welfare of the poor should be the main focus area.
Research from the University of Johannesburg shows how inequality can demolish most of the benefits of positive economic growth and social grants for people living in poverty, especially during economic downturns.
The study by Prof ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Two studies explore impact of pandemic on colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis
“Osteo-cardiovascular” patients at highest risk for falls and death, Chinese study finds
AI analysis of healthcare records reveals key factors in autism diagnosis
Repetitive behaviors and special interests are more indicative of an autism diagnosis than a lack of social skills
Long-term risk of stroke after transient ischemic attack or minor stroke.
Using LLMS to understand how autism gets diagnosed
Suicide risk and living alone with depression or anxiety
Older adults’ views on insurance coverage for weight management medications
Pew funds scientists from 5 countries to advance marine conservation
Highly educated people face steeper mental declines after stroke
New study shines a light on the mechanics of bioluminescence in the rare fish Vinciguerria mabahiss
Getting hit by lightning is good for some tropical trees
Soldiers can cope with killing
Quantum Leap: NIST selects FAU for new generation of encryption standards
City of Hope-led study demystifies tumor formation’s two-step process — a foundational understanding needed to prevent cancer
We are vastly overestimating the amount of fresh water available for lithium mining, new study finds
If native plants are going to survive climate change, they need our help to move—here’s how to do it safely
Blue pigment improves foundation makeup shades for dark skin
A safe nuclear battery that could last a lifetime
Making sturdy, semi-transparent wood with cheap, natural materials
Adulting is hard on the heart: Teen to young adulthood is a critical time to address risk
Study shows link between the start of the working day and time preferences
Scientists discovered chemical oscillations in palladium nanoparticles, paving the way for recycling precious metal catalysts
Tadpoles try to flee dangerous virus in their pond by growing much faster than normal
Build it and they shall come
How elephants plan their journeys: New study reveals energy-saving strategies
New study challenges the ‘monogamy-superiority myth’, as non-monogamous people report just as happy relationships and sex lives
Government of Guyana, Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation announce five-year extension of national healthcare initiative.
Preclinical study: after heart attack, a boost in anti-inflammatory cells promoted healing
Glucose revealed as a master regulator of tissue regeneration in Stanford Medicine study
[Press-News.org] Water aerobics for more than 10 weeks can trim waist size and aid weight lossParticularly effective in women and middle aged + older adults, pooled data analysis shows