"Aquatic exercise for both fitness and rehabilitation are presently being offered to individuals of various special populations. Pool programs offer physical activity and educational programming that can be particularly helpful for children with disabilities. The physiologic, psychologic, and social benefits of aquatic exercise are often found to be more pronounced in these children. One reason aquatic exercise is of value is that the buoyancy provided allows the individual with landbased activity limitations to function in an independent fashion in the water. Some studies report individuals are enabled to walk for the first time in an aquatics environment; and if this form of exercise is repeated they have the opportunity to increase strength for a progression to on-land ambulation. Swimming studies have documented improvements in muscle strengthening that improved postural stability for on-land locomotion (3 Kelly). Other research reports indicate an enhanced cardiorespiratory endurance, exercise capacity, and improved swim skills with aquatic exercise programming (Fragala-Pinkham). Unfortunately recreational and fitness opportunities for children with disabilities are limited.
Linda S Lamont; Ocean Surfing as a Novel Physiotherapy Environment: A Commentary"
Last date updated on September, 2024
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