Aquatic Exercises with Kick Boards

These exercises are done using kick boards to give you resistance in the water.

Stand in water that is shoulder height. Do these exercises with your spine in a neutral position. Find this by standing with your feet about shoulder width apart. Stand with your knees slightly bent and your weight evenly distributed. Tighten your stomach muscles and you should feel balanced. Keep your stomach muscles tightened during all the exercises. Be sure to breathe while you exercise. Never hold your breath when you exercise. Do each exercise slowly with smooth movements and repeat ______ times.

If you feel any of these signs of fatigue, stop exercising and tell the therapist or lifeguard you need help.

Trouble catching your breath or feel short of breath Faint, lightheaded or dizzy Nausea Red face or feel flushed Pain or pressure in chest or upper body Weakness or suddenly feel tired More on next page Learn more about your health care.

Copyright, (9/19/2007) Outpatient Rehabilitation, Ohio State University Medical Center - Upon request all patient education handouts are available in other formats for people with special hearing, vision and language needs, call (614) 293-3191.

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Pounding heart or irregular heart beat Confusion or loss of sense of direction

Exercises with Kick Boards

1. Hold the kick board in front of your chest with both hands, elbows bent. 2. Walk forward, holding the kick board in front of you. 3. Do this ______ times or for ______ minutes.

1. Hold the kick board in both hands in front of your body at chest height, elbows bent. 2. Push the board straight down in front of your body, straightening your elbows. Think of it like pushing a knife straight down in the water. 3. Pull the board back up to the starting position.

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1. Hold a kick board in front of your chest with both hands, elbows bent. 2. Push the board out in front of you until your elbows are straight. 3. Pull the board back to the starting position.

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1. Hold the kick board in front of your chest with both hands, elbows bent. 2. Push the board out in front of you to your right at a 45 degree angle from your body. 3. Pull the board back in to your chest. 4. Push the board back out in front of you to your left at a 45 degree angle from your body. 5. Pull the board back in to your chest.

Talk to your doctor or others on your health care team if you have questions. You may request more written information from the Library for Health Information at (614) 293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.