Water exercises help trim waistlines

Regular exercise in the water – such as aqua Zumba, yoga or aerobics – trims waistlines, research suggests.

Experts found sticking to a water-based exercise plan for around 12 weeks or more helped reduce waistlines and aided weight loss, particularly among those over 45 years of age and women.

Researchers found aqua aerobics, aqua Zumba, aqua yoga or just jogging in water was effective at reducing overall weight by an average of around 3kg and trimming waist circumference by 3cm in obese or overweight people.

A total of 10 studies involving 286 obese or overweight people were included in the research, published in the journal BMJ Open.

The findings showed that water-based exercise “significantly reduced” body weight and waist circumference in women, and keeping it up longer-term was effective as well.

The researchers said more research was needed on men, who were not studied in large enough numbers to draw conclusions.

More work is also needed on the impact of water exercise on body mass index (BMI), lean mass, fat mass, waist-to-hip ratio, and hip circumference.

The team said: “The buoyant effect of water helps reduce joint injuries commonly associated with exercise in overweight and obese individuals.”

They added: “Aerobic exercise in water is beneficial for middle- aged and elderly people, improving body composition while easing the joint loads associated with land-based exercise.”

Exercise frequency varied in the study, but was at least twice a week, with some studies involving people in the water three times a week.

“This study shows that pool exercises are particularly helpful for those living with obesity or joint injuries, and especially among women and older adults, where health inequalities are prevalent,” said Kenny Butler, the health and well-being lead for a trade body that represents gyms and leisure centres in Britain. – PA Media/dpa