Journal of Yoga & Physical Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Aquatic Physical Therapy in the Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries: A Systematic Review of the Literatures

Eunkuk Kim and Hokyung Choi

This review aimed to analyze the evidence of the effects of aquatic physical therapy in athletes and persons who participate in sports activities. Pertinent databases were searched from the beginning of databases until June 2015 to determine the effectiveness of aquatic physical therapy in the rehabilitation of sports injuries in athletes and/or individual who enjoy sports activities. A total of 311 articles were identified. Eight articles met the inclusion criteria, and the average methodological quality on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was 7. Aquatic physical therapy in the rehabilitation of sports injuries improved pain, range of motion, muscle strength, balance ability, and performance, but the evidence regarding benefits of aquatic physical therapy compared to land-based physical therapy was inconclusive. Further investigation is therefore needed to clarify this.