Summertime is Aqua Therapy Time!

Usually at this time of the year we begin looking for ways to cool down during the hot summer months that are rapidly approaching. For those of us who own a pool, it's time to clean out the winter debris and look forward to sunny afternoons of splashing and enjoying the fruits of our labor. Whether you visit your local YMCA, fitness spa, public recreation center, or perhaps just the local 'swimming hole' you can reap tremendous benefits from exercising in that water in a new and unique way, as well as all of the intrinsic relaxation that comes along with it.
 
Water aerobics is great for everyone and if you have tried working out on land and have not enjoyed it, jump in the water. It could be just what you were looking for. In order to burn equally, if not more, calories doing unstructured swimming, you would have to be a deft swimmer with an incredible amount of discipline.
 
Due to the natural buoyancy effect of submerging partially in water for exercise, patients can benefit from this weightless feeling in numerous ways while exercising. The buoyancy of water reduces your body weight up to 90%, and therefore relieves the stress upon weight-bearing joints, muscles, and bones. This in turn decreases pain, muscle guarding, tension and anxiety. The use of water in exercise is specifically designed for restoration, maintenance and increasing function for patients with acute, transient (sports injuries) or chronic disabilities, syndromes or diseases.

Reasons to use Aquatic Therapy:

  • Buoyancy (up to 90% of our body weight is removed)

  • Reduced pain & muscle spasm

  • Increased range of motion

  • Increased relaxation

  • Increased circulation

  • Decreased swelling

  • Decreased rehabilitation time (because movement can be initiated easier)

  • Cardiovascular conditioning

  • Accelerates healing process

  • Allows patients mobility and freedom

The Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institue, Inc. (ATRI) offers continuing education courses at conferences that will advance the knowledge and skills of the aquatic therapist. From them we have learned that rehabilitation in water can take place in a warm or cool pool of water. Therapy and rehab have documented results in pools or water from 80 to 98 degrees.
 
Dr. Maria Sykorova Pritz and Dr. Tomas Gregor, PhD have written that "Exercise, in many different forms, is the most important part of the treatment and healing regimen for chronic pain and fights its debilitating effects in many ways. Water is probably the oldest medium of physical treatment with both physiological and psychological benefits. Water - especially heated pools - provides an environment where one can move and exercise with little or no  pain. As a benefit of buoyancy, the chronic pain population has the ability to move with lower energy effort (energy preservation). The resistance will help increase muscular strength and endurance because the resistance of water is significantly greater than air. The assistance of water will allow for comfortable passive stretches."
 
When you think of exercise equipment for a pool, you may think of 'pool noodles' or other floatation devices that add stability. During several water aerobic classes I have used various weights and toys to hold or lift, as I fight the resistance of the water. One common 'homemade' solution is an empty or weighted milk jug because of it's built in handle and affordability! Filling a standard gallon container with just three pounds of dry beans or sand can feel much heavier in water, and costs very little. Just be sure to always seal the lid tightly or you may end up with water logged beans.
 
A product that caught our attention last summer here at Rehabmart.com is making waves yet again this year, called the Underwater Trampoline sold here.

From library.rehabmart.com

More and more clients are finding out how fun and challenging of a routine this product provides. From the leaders in the aqua fitness field comes one of the only trampolines designed to be used underwater permanently. The underwater trampoline has been designed in cooperation with an experienced expert in the aqua fitness industry and is aimed at various groups of users. The entirely new feeling of swinging and jumping in the water inspires everyone immediately.
 
                                From library.rehabmart.com       
 
This new and unique concept is fun and effective with many diverse uses. It is perfect training for balance and coordination amongst many age groups and uses nearly all muscle groups! It can be used with general physiotherapy, rehabilitation, introducing beginners to swimming, coordination therapy for those who are physically limited (apoplexy patients, patients with palsy, MS patients, etc.) as well as training for semi-professional and professional athletes. Fat-burning training from little weight losses to using large amounts of calories provides excellent cardiovascular benefits as well.
 
                                             From library.rehabmart.com 
 

For adults, the water used in conjunction with the trampoline should have a depth of 120 to 140 centimeters. For children 90 cm is sufficient but please note that the optimal depth of the water varies with the exercises you intend to do. The underwater trampoline is aimed at people of all ages. This product has no weight limits and can be used outside of water too!

The combination with other apparatus such as weights, barbells, therapy straps, pool noodles, etc., allows exercises that aim at the whole body. Along with this product comes a DVD with all the information needed to erect the underwater trampoline and how to care for it as well as what safety measures must be considered. The frame is covered with high quality neoprene which is sewn into the bed and is resistant to chlorinated water. The unit weighs a light 15 kilograms and includes rubber suckers for even more stability. The maker of this product also is the supplier of Olympic trampolines.

For more information on aquatic health, visit the following web pages.

Mayo Clinic

Aquatic Therapy

And finally, a few safety tips, as no proper discussion of a swimming pool can go without! Beyond the classic warning of no running around the pool and no glass containers we advise:

 

 

Water Aerobics Safety Tips for the Exerciser:

1. Unless you know that you are really fit and healthy, you should visit your physician first before engaging in any exercise activity. This becomes a requirement if you have any preexisting illness or medical condition, are overweight or obese or above 50 years old.

2. It is strongly recommended that you know how to swim before you engage in any form of exercise routine on water. If you don't, make sure that you communicate this inability to your water aerobics instructor so he or she can make the necessary adjustments and/or advice you to bring your own life jackets or other flotation devices to class.

3. Be careful when walking around the pool area as wet surfaces could make you more prone to slips and falls.

4. Don't forget to do warm up stretching exercises before going into the water. Your instructor will also lead you to these routines, but just in case you arrive late to class, don't neglect them. Cramps are prevented with the appropriate stretching exercises.

5. When you feel pain in doing any of the movements, stop and rest for a while. If the pain persists, stop and visit your doctor so you know what's wrong.

Water Aerobics Safety Tips for the Staff/Instructor:

1. Make sure that a lifeguard is on duty before you begin your classes.

2. Check if everyone has the proper gear. If it is your responsibility to provide life jackets to those who cannot swim, then ensure that each non-swimmer has one. If not, always do a check to see that those who cannot swim have brought their safety gear. Don't take chances where the safety of your students is concerned.

3. Always be aware of each student in your class. If you have a big class, it's best to divide them into more manageable group sizes or position your staff in strategic locations around the pool so as to be able to keep a lookout for everyone.

4. If you see signs of pain among any of your students while performing the movements, always ask what's wrong and/or tell him or her to take it easy and rest.

Enjoy your summer and check out our other helpful aquatic therapy products here at Rehabmart.com! 

 
Compiled by Denise L. Kelley,
Medical Consumer Writer 
and
Hulet Smith, CEO, OT