Living experience of “lightness”: a qualitative study based on group of aged women’s perception of water-based exercises

Abstract

Literature has pointed out physical and psychological benefits of water based exercises (WBEs) for the elderly; however, few studies have investigated how old adults perceive those activities. This study was aimed at exploring the elder’s perception of WBEs, which brings the old adult to apply for an aqua-gym
course and to successfully continue it. According to the aim, we opted for a Grounded Theory study, conducted in three swimming pools placed in the urban area of Milan (Italy) and in its suburbs. Forty women (age 72.4