Exercise is a crucial element necessary for a healthy body. Regardless of age, physical activity can always provide plenty of physical and mental health support. When aging, however, getting in motion or staying in motion may seem to get more difficult with time. While older age may come with its own physical obstacles- such as arthritis and diabetes- exercise still remains essential to personal wellness. Though jogging, biking, and other exercises may be too difficult to keep up with as you age, there are still other options for physical activity to keep you moving (aside from walking), like aquatic therapy! Aquatic therapy is a unique form of exercise which provides its own unique benefits.
One of the secret ingredients of aquatic therapy that makes it the best workout for seniors is hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure is the force fluid molecules exert on the body when immersed in water. This offers many benefits to seniors involved in aquatic therapy. Hydrostatic pressure, which does not even require movement, helps to decrease swelling, alleviate pain, and increasing range of motion in older adults. Participants have also reported back a number of other health benefits such as cardiovascular health. Aquatic therapy also has the ability to decrease blood pooling in patients’ extremities, which increases circulation and venous return.
Aquatic therapy’s other secret ingredient is natural resistance. Water provides natural resistance which helps make muscles work even harder than they would if the exercises were performed on land. More muscle fibers are used for every movement in water, which helps tone muscles and create balance. Promoting balanced muscle growth can improve back pain and orthopedic issues. Resistance also can be used to offer helpful progression for seniors at varying levels of fitness. Reducing the speed of a movement lowers the resistance, while increasing the speed of a movement will make exercises harder.
Using these unique benefits, physical exercise in a pool provides appropriate movement for seniors to build strength and balance. Safe motion with the assistance of water can significantly reduce impact on joints as well as reducing anxiety to improve mood. Try it out! We’re sure you’ll notice the benefits after just one session at your local community pool.
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By Prithvi Chauhan
