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Archive > Year 2009, Number 2

Aquatic Rehabilitation


Authors

Prins Jan, Department of Kinesiology, University of Hawaii

Abstract

The physical properties of water provide a unique environment for exercising to improve strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular conditioning. Although swimming has often been used for these purposes in the past, there is now an increased focus on incorporating specific exercise protocols in the water for treating persons with acute or chronic clinical conditions, as well as assisting persons with permanent physical disabilities [8, 9, 23, 24, 36, 38]. The last few decades have also seen a dramatic increase in aquatic exercises to maintain overall fitness. These programs, referred to generically as “aquarobics,” are not limited to the use of formal swimming strokes.

Aquatic physical rehabilitation is now recognized and utilized as a “procedure,” rather than a modality. The increased focus can be attributed in part to its evolution from the limited confines of “Hubbard Tanks,” to the larger venues of swimming pools. These larger exercising areas accommodate a greater variety of exercises, including those that require sustained propulsive movements. In the same way, programs that promote adult fitness have gravitated to the water to the point that there are now a large number of aquatic routines directed specifically towards the aging population.

The focus of this paper is to provide medical practitioners and allied health professionals with an overview of the benefits of aquatic physical therapy and water exercises. Also included in the discussion will be the application of the research tools used in biomechanics, which are used in the study of these disciplines.

Keywords

aquatic physical rehabilitation, aquatherapy, biomechanics

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