Comparative Efficacy of Different Aquatic Exercise Modalities on Cognitive Function in The Elderly: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Cognitive decline poses a major challenge in aging populations, and aquatic exercise may offer cognitive benefits while re-duceding injury risk. This systematic review and network metaanalysis (NMA) evaluated the comparative effectiveness of different aquatic exercise modalities on cognitive functio...

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Publicado en:Journal of Sports Science & Medicine Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 381 - 395
Autores principales: Song, Jinglei, Ma, Zhili, Luo, Bingting, Liao, Ting, Wang, Yong "Tai", Zhao, Ziren, Zheng, Xin
Formato: meta analysis research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Hakan Gur, Journal of Sports Science & Medicine Jun2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2026
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      pub: Hakan Gur, Journal of Sports Science & Medicine
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        atl: Comparative Efficacy of Different Aquatic Exercise Modalities on Cognitive Function in The Elderly: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.
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          Song, Jinglei
          Ma, Zhili
          Luo, Bingting
          Liao, Ting
          Wang, Yong "Tai"
          Zhao, Ziren
          Zheng, Xin
        affil: Aquatic Therapy and Fitness Research Centre, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China
      sug:
        subj:
          Cognition Disorders Rehabilitation
          Cognition Disorders Rehabilitation
          Aquatic Exercises Methods
          Cognition Evaluation
          Treatment Outcomes
          Human
          Female
          Male
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Aged, 80 and Over
          Systematic Review
          Meta Analysis
          Descriptive Statistics
          Therapeutic Exercise
          High-Intensity Interval Training
          Aerobic Exercises
          Probability
          Muscle Strengthening
          Checklists
          Confidence Intervals
          PubMed
          Embase
          Cochrane Library
          Data Analysis Software
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Aged, 80 & over
          Female
          Male
      ab: Cognitive decline poses a major challenge in aging populations, and aquatic exercise may offer cognitive benefits while re-duceding injury risk. This systematic review and network metaanalysis (NMA) evaluated the comparative effectiveness of different aquatic exercise modalities on cognitive function in older adults. Major electronic databases were searched from inception to January 2026 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining aquatic exercise and cognitive outcomes in adults aged >60 years; studies were independently assessed by two reviewers. Interventions were categorized as aquatic cognitive-motor exercise, aquatic aerobic exercise, aquatic high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and aquatic strength training. A frequentist NMA was used to synthesize direct and indirect evidence, with effect sizes expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs). Nine RCTs (involving 324 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Aquatic cognitive-motor exercise showed the highest probability of being the most effective intervention (SUCRA [surface under the cumulative ranking curve] = 85.36%), followed by aquatic aerobic exercise (61.44%) and aquatic strength training (51.80%). Aquatic HIIT (49.12%) and land-based exercise (48.34%) demonstrated moderate effects. Among all modalities only aquatic cognitive-motor exercise showed statistically significant improvements compared with non-exercising controls. Based on the currently available limited evidence, aquatic cognitive-motor exercise may be the most effective aquatic modality for improving cognitive function in older adults. All aquatic exercise modalities provided cognitive benefits at least comparable to those of land-based exercise. The findings suggest that cognitive engagement, rather than exercise intensity alone, may be crucial for maximizing the efficacy of the intervention. However, as only nine RCTs were included, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the limited size and density of the evidence network.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        meta analysis
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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