Aquatic Exercise Therapy What Is Aquatic Exercise? Rehabilitative Exercises Performed in a Warm Water Environment. Use Water As a Buoyant Medium.
Dec 18, 2015
Aquatic Exercise Therapy
What Is Aquatic Exercise?Rehabilitative Exercises Performed in a Warm Water Environment.Use Water As a Buoyant Medium.
Types of Rehabilitation
Rehab needs to be designed with progression as the key element.
Need to get the athlete involved with their rehab.
Injury/surgery
SAIDLand
Water
Physiological Effects
Increased respiratory rateDecreased BPIncreased blood supply to musclesIncreased superficial circulationIncreased heart rateDecreased edemaMuscular relaxation
Therapeutic BenefitsMuscular relaxationReduces painDecreases muscle
spasmIncreases ease of
joint movementIncrease muscular
strength/endurance in cases of excessive weakness
Therapeutic Benefits Continued
Reduces gravitational forcesIncreases peripheral circulationImproves respiratory musclesImproves PNFImproves patient moral and confidence
(psychological)
The Aquatic Facility
Water depth Should be at least
shoulder height. 4-6 feet
Water temperature: 85-95 degrees
Design To accommodate free
movement for running and arm movements
The Aquatic FacilityEquipment
options:Water jetsAngled bottomDifferent depthsTreadmill/bikesViewing area
Aquatic Treatment Plan
Phase one- The Post Surgical or Acute Phase
Gentle ROM and strengthening
Mild Stretching of the healing structure
The use of other pain/swelling reducing modalities
Aquatic Treatment Plan
Phase two- the early exercise phase
Specific stretching exercises
The use of supportive and assistive exercise equipment
Muscle contraction without pain
Maintain strength whole body
Aquatic Treatment Plan
Phase three- the intermediate exercise phase
Stretching exercises Moderate progressive
resistance exercises using aquatic principles such as speed, turbulence
Full range movements
Aquatic Treatment Plan
Phase four- The Advanced Exercise
Flexibility and ROM exercise
Maximal resistive exercise
Muscular endurance (maximal repetitions)
Neuromuscular coordination
Aquatic Treatment Plan
Phase five- The Phase of Integration onto Land
Water and land exercises Aerobic conditioning Land-based program=
muscular strength, endurance
Rehabilitation Design/Plan
Pick an extremityDesign a rehab planInclude all five
phasesInclude sets/reps for
exercisesDefine equipment
usedBe creative