Creating a Peer-Instructed Aquatic Fitness Programme for Participants 65 Years Old and Older

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to create an aquatic fitness programme, which would be instructed by peer instructors who are 65 years old and older. The thesis was commissioned by the City of Kajaani. The aim of the commissioner was to modernize the previously used programme and introduce new ideas in peer-instructed aquatic exercises, which would also be used for marketing by the City of Kajaani. The author’s aim was to develop her competence in arranging aquatic exercises for the elderly. From the Kajaani University of Applied Sciences point of view, the aim was to provide students with a balance between the vocational skills necessary for employment and the knowledge necessary for postgraduate study and lifelong learning.

The theoretical part provides an overview of aquatic fitness programmes and discusses the structure of multilevel workouts, physiological aspects of aging and aquatic fitness guidelines. Thus, it introduces an effective way for creating an aquatic fitness programme for the elderly. Two different research methods were used: the qualitative research method was used to get familiar with the peer instructors and the product development process was used to create, develop and implement the product. The final product includes aquatics exercises for all muscle groups and introduces possible modifications for the elderly. With the help of the product, peer instructors can easily instruct water exercises which the elderly can easily follow. The product will be published on the official website Kaukavesi, information desk and Facebook page of Kaukavesi.