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:
 It’s 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 Property of Viscosity

pressure water

Surface
tension
Properties of water
 Buoyancy : it’s 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: : it’s 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 Adults—benefits
 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 one’s 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
Pregnancy—benefits
 Reduces gravity’s 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
Obesity—benefits
 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.
Arthritis—benefits
 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:
 Don’t 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 Pain—guidelines
 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 environmentworks well for neuromusclar

reeducation and strengthening because water’s
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 water’s 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