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
:Initiate resistance training
Improve ROM

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• Improvement of
Psychological:
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 key for good health and independent
Is
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
: 83
Water at least
0
F

that for a younger

Less activity group
than
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
: 84 F
Water between
0
78 and

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
: buoyancy
Limb speed is important to overcome

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
:Spend twice as long on warm-up
Don’t exercise when joint is “hot”

Avoid hard stretches

Gently move every joint in every possible
direction
Eliminate bouncing
Ideal water temp. is 86-95 Fo
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 environment works well for

neuromusclar reeducation and strengthening
buoyancy allows patients
because water’s who have restricted
mobility on land to more in the
move freely
water.
The increase in movement against the
natural resistance of the water can help improve
strength for patients who are
muscular 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 a issue with neurological
is that can be
injury common
exacerbated by cold. A warm water
therapy setting minimizes spasticity,
movement and increases patient facilitates
comfort
Off-balance falls are slowed to the
due
resistance, which helps with protective water
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