Richi Lapsiwala

CONTENT:
Definition
History
Indication

Contraindication
Precaution
Properties of water
Equipment used in aquatic exercise.
Types of aquatic exercise

What Is AQUATIC
EXERCISE?

DEFINITION:
Its a multi depth immersion pool or tank

that facilitates the application of various

established
therapeutic
interventions,
including stretching, strengthening, joint
mobilization, balance and gait training and
endurance training.

HISTORY:
Aquatic Therapy is emerging science of water and

exercise for physical therapy.

The Aquatic Therapy Source was the pioneer of
the manufacture of underwater exercise machines
since 1987
Machinery designed by the Aquatic Therapy Source
will not break down in water, does not require any
maintenance and requires no special footwear to use
the machines.

INDICATIONS:
Improve ROM
Initiate resistance training
Facilitates weight bearing activity.

Provide 3D assess
Initiate functional activity
Minimize risk of injury
Provide relaxation

CONTRA INDICATIONS
Open wound
Water infection

Seizures
Respiratory dysfunction
Kidney disease
Bowel bladder Incontinence

PRECAUTIONS
Fear of water
Neurological disorder
Seizures

Cardiac dysfunction
Open wounds

Property of water:
Buoyancy

Hydrostatic
pressure

Property of
water

Surface

tension

Viscosity

Properties of water
Buoyancy : its a upward force that work opposite to

gravity.
Clinical Significance:
relative weightlessness and joint unloading
active motion with increased
three-dimensional access to the patient.

Hydrostatic pressure: : its

a pressure

exerted on immersed object.

Clinical Significance:
reduces or limits effusion
centralizes peripheral blood flow.
assists venous return, avoid DVT
The proportionality of depth and pressure allows patients

to perform exercise more easily when closer to the

surface.

Viscosity : its is friction occuring between

molecules of liquid resulting in resistance to flow.

Clinical Significance
Creates resistance with all active movements.
Increasing the surface area moving through water
increases resistance.

Surface tension : the surface of fluid

act as membrane under tension.
It is measured as a force/unit length.

Percentage of weight bearing

at various immersion depth:

EQUIPMENT FOR AQUATIC

EXERCISE:
Provide buoyant support
Assist balance
Generate resistance to the movement.

COLLARS, RINGS, BELTS.

SWIM BARS
GLOVES, HAND PADDLES, HYDRO TONE BALLS.
FINS AND HYDRO TONE BOOTS.
KICKBOARDS.

 COLLARS, RINGS,

BELTS.

SWIM BARS
GLOVES, HAND
PADDLES, HYDRO
TONE BALLS
FINS AND HYDRO

TONE BOOTS.
KICKBOARDS.

Types of Aquatic Activities:

Balance

exercises
Strengthening

exercises
Marching.
Side leg lift
Back leg lifts
Runner's stretch

Benefits of Aquatic Exercise

Psychological:

Improvement of well-being and

confidence
Experience success
Enhance self-image
Have fun
Independent mobility

Older adults.
Pregnancy

Obesity
Arthritis
Low back pain.

Older Adultsbenefits
Exercise Is key for good health and independent

living and Achieve enriched quality of life

Primary goals
reach and maintain a level of fitness,
Improve ones physical condition
Delay onset of chronic disease

Treatment:
Water at least 83 F
0

Less activity than that for a younger group

Explain safety features before you begin
Lifeguard location
Pool layout
Give permission and suggestions for

modifications

Pregnancybenefits
Reduces gravitys pull on baby
Helps prevent hyperlordosis.
Decreases chance of overheating
Hydrostatic pressure helps prevent edema

Treatment:
Water between 78 and 84 F
0

Emphasize proper hydration

Follow ACOG guidelines
Guidelines for exercise
Contraindications for exercise
Careful evaluation

Obesitybenefits
Reduces the effect of gravity
Decreases risk factors for heart disease

Hydrostatic pressure assist venous return

Easier to stick with the program
Cool environment
Comfortable
Relaxing
Beneficial

Treatment:
Limb speed is important to overcome buoyancy
Deep water walking is a great place to start
Give non-rebound option

Emphasize safety.

Arthritisbenefits
Osteoarthritis degenerative changes in the

joints
Rheumatoid arthritis chronic, destructive disease
characterized by joint inflammation
Guideline for the arthritis
Decrease pain

Increase ROM
Maintain joint mobility

Treatment:
Dont exercise when joint is hot
Spend twice as long on warm-up
Avoid hard stretches

Gently move every joint in every possible direction

Eliminate bouncing
Ideal water temp. is 86-95 F
o

Low Back Painguidelines

Emphasize proper posture
Eliminate bouncing
Strengthen abdominals

Emphasize core stability

Immediately stop any exercise that causes pain

Treatment:
Water decreases compression forces on the spine and

other joints
easier to move
strengthen core and back. In the water,
walking on treadmill

leg raises
back stretches
core exercises
squats

Aquatic Therapy for Brain and

Spinal Cord Injuries:
The recovery process long and extremely difficult.
Aquatic environment

works well for neuromusclar

reeducation and
strengthening
because
waters
buoyancy allows patients who have restricted
mobility on land to move more freely in the
water.

The increase in movement

against the natural

resistance of the water can help
improve muscular
strength for patients who are suffering from
weakness and paralysis

 increasing core strength and balance is for

improving daily functions. The viscosity and

buoyancy of the water provide support in both the
sitting and standing positions during these activities.

 Gait Training: Gait training on the underwater treadmill can

help patients regain balance, movement and strength Because

of waters buoyancy,.
Activities

of Daily Living: sit-to-stand, reach, balance

exercises.
Pain Management: Warm water has the ability to increase

circulation and range of motion which in turn reduces joint

stiffness and pain while exercising in the water.
Strengthening and Toning: As patients progress through their

recovery, resistance can be increased through the use of the

underwater resistance jets.
This increases muscle strength and prepares patients for
further land-based strength training.

Aquatic Therapy for Stroke

patient:
The water's buoyancy allows freedom of movement
it is ideal for individuals who have restricted mobility due

to weakness and paralysis.

Increased

muscular strength as movements are

performed against the resistance of the water. This
combination of freedom and resistance is very difficult to
duplicate in any land-based therapy environment.

The anti-gravity effect of water makes it easier to work

with these movements to increase range of motion and

strength.

 Spasticity is a common issue with neurological

injury that can be exacerbated by cold. A warm water

therapy setting minimizes spasticity, facilitates
movement and increases patient comfort
Off-balance falls are slowed due to the water
resistance, which helps with protective response
training. The patient's fear of falling is decreased .

 Aquatic exercise can be fun at any age and

size whether you try it on your own for a class.

Jump in. The water's fine!

Thank You

References:
Therapeutic exercise 5th edition Carolyn Kisner and

Lynn Allen Colby

Uses of Aquatic Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries HydroWorx Blog | HydroWorx Blog
blog.hydroworx.com
Stroke Patient Increases Mobility with Aquatic
Therapy - HydroWorx Blog | HydroWorx Blog
blog.hydroworx.co