The Effects of an Aquatic Exercise Program on Participation and Social Isolation in an Active Older Adult Community

Background: A national poll in 2023 reported that 34% of older adults in the United States felt socially isolated, and a 2024 meta-analysis found that 38% of North Americans reported loneliness. Feelings of isolation and loneliness in the older adult population have been associated with increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of a group aquatic exercise program on feelings of loneliness and social isolation within the older adult population. Methods: Sixteen participants between the ages of 63 and 83 attended a 4-week program consisting of eight 1-hour group aquatic-aerobic exercise sessions with students from a local university. Participants completed the Steptoe Social Isolation Index, the 100 Million Lives Well-Being Assessment, and a short mixed quantitative–qualitative survey both before and after the 4-week program. Results: Improvement was seen for all 8 categories in the 100 Million Lives Well-Being assessment with 1, Community and Social Support, showing a statistically significant change ( P =.04). When looking at individual questions, there were statistically significant improvements for 7 items, among them: Physical Health ( P = .008, Cohen’s d = 0.657), Sense of Belonging to Community ( P = .044; Cohen’s d = 0.7314), and Friendships and Relationships ( P = .022, and Cohen’s d = 0.4804). There were no significant changes found on pre–post testing for the Steptoe Social Isolation Index. For the qualitative questions, common preprogram themes were discomfort, socialization, loneliness, introversion, and friendship. Common posttest themes included: enjoyment, socialization, health, friendship, and togetherness. Conclusion: The participants in this study reported a decrease in feelings of loneliness and social isolation after attending this program when compared to before. These results support that the use of group aquatic exercise as an effective way to encourage participation and engage older adults. More research with a larger sample, however, is recommended.