Efeitos do treino aeróbico aquático sobre a cognição de um indivíduo após traumatismo crânio encefálico: estudo de caso

Objective: To verify the interference of aerobic aquatic exercise performed in the cognition of an individual with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Method: This is experimental case study occured in the Aquatic Physiotherapy Sector of the AACD. It was aprroved by the institution's Research Ethics Committee, protocol number 3,171,742. A 31-year-old male who underwent a TBI (almost 12 months from the evaluation date) participated in the study. The participant did not report hydrophobia and, on physical assessment, he did not present pain or dysfunctions that compromised his physical performance. He undertook not to perform another physical activity during the study. A neuropsychological evaluation was carried out before and after the intervention. The protocol consisted of 12 sessions of 45 minutes, once a week, aerobic training on an underwater bike with a physiotherapist monitoring. The water temperature was 33°C and immersion at the level of the xifoid process. The training intensity monitoring was performed through heart rate (HR) and target HR was stipulated by Karvonenn formula. Results: The participant improved the score in the tests of intellectual functions, intentional processes and speed of information processing, spatial vision skills, language, logical reasoning, mental calculus, abstract reasoning. Conclusion: Aquatic aerobic exercise positively interfered with the cognitive functions of an individual with sequelae of an TBI.