Fundació Fluidra, Fluidra and Sant Joan de Déu renew their partnership to continue research on the benefits of aquatic physical activity on mental health

Fundació Fluidra, Fluidra, Obra Social Sant Joan de Déu and Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, have renewed their collaboration agreement to further research the benefits of aquatic physical activity on mental health. The agreement, now extended until 2027, builds on the alliance established in 2021 and seeks to expand the reach of the project “Sports and mental health: The practice of sports activities in swimming pools as a tool for social inclusion”. The study, which completed its first phase in 2023, has demonstrated the positive impact of pool-based sports on improving the quality of life for individuals with various mental health disorders. 

In this new stage, the program, which also has the support of the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, aims to strengthen scientific research with new clinical trials, increase the number of direct beneficiaries, and promote the integration of swimming pool sports as a therapeutic tool within the healthcare network. 

According to Xavi Servat, manager of Fundació Fluidra, "It has been proven that exercising in water not only improves physical condition but also positively impacts self-esteem, emotional well-being, and social integration. With this renewal, we aim to consolidate an evidence-based intervention model and contribute to improving the mental health of the most vulnerable people through innovative and accessible therapies”. 

For fer part, Susana Ochoa, Coordinator of Unitat de Recerca del Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, explains that “The study demonstrates that engaging in activities integrated into the community fosters social participation, significantly improving the perception of self-stigma, depression, and quality of life. Additionally, integrating physical activity with psychological intervention allows for even more personalized treatments 

Expansion of the sample and new research lines 

The program aligns with the growing body of evidence on the effects of physical exercise on mental health and addresses to the need to offer innovative therapeutic alternatives for individuals with mental disorders. During the first phase of the study, more than 200 participants engaged in aquatic activities specifically designed to improve their emotional well-being, self-esteem, and relational capacity. The experience confirmed that practicing sports in water not only helps alleviate depressive symptoms but also fosters social integration and reduces the stigma associated with mental disorders. Muhammad Afzal, user of Xarxa de Salut Mental del Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu and beneficiary of the aquatic activities, shared his experience: “When I started, I was isolated at home, doing nothing, not talking to anyone... Coming here gives me life. I feel great, happy, and relaxed” 

Based on these results, the new phase of the project will expand the study sample to 350 direct beneficiaries, including individuals with intellectual disabilities, severe mental disorders, and depression, who are part of the Mental Health Network of the Sant Joan de Déu Health Park. As Susana Ochoa, Coordinator of Unitat de Recerca del Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, points out, “With this renewed alliance and the grant from the Health Research Fund (FIS) of the Ministry of Health, we will be able to incorporate twelve healthcare centers across Spain into the study, extending the intervention to populations in Seville, Santander, and Mallorca, among others”. 

One of the most innovative aspects of this new stage is the development of a pioneering study that will evaluate the combined impact of aquatic exercise and Metacognitive Training (MCT) on people with depression. This clinical trial will also analyze gender differences in the effectiveness of the intervention, aiming to determine whether combining physical activity in water with specific psychological strategies can enhance therapeutic benefits. 

Commitment to a social inclusion model 

A key goal of the project remains ensuring equal access to aquatic physical activities for individuals with mental health conditions. Developed within a network of municipal sports in Barcelona, the program offers different activity modalities based on the users' level of autonomy, such as guided group sessions, mixed activities with the community, and free access to pools with support for continuity. Additionally, to remove economic barriers, the project provides assistance for purchasing sports equipment and covering transportation costs. 

The program's impact also extends to professionals in the fields of health, sports, and social action, who will have new tools and scientific data to recommend aquatic activities as part of mental health treatment. 

To implement the study until 2027, an investment of €260,000 has been allocated for pool activities, research, and data analysis