Aquatic Therapy Flashcards
4 main variables that alter resistance in aquatic therapy
physical properties of water- buoyancy
1: position or direction of movement in water
2: water depth
3: lever arm length
4: flotation or weight equipment use
position and direction of movement
movements toward the surface: buoyancy assisted
movements parallel to the bottom of the poo: buoyancy supported (gravity minimized)
movements toward the bottom of the pool: buoyancy resisted
resistance is influenced by:
1: velocity of movement (mean muscle activity alters when velocity reaches a threshold
2: surface area
3: water depth
4: direction of movement
physiologic changes with immersion
(changes vary with immersion depth)
1: decreased peripheral blood flow, vital capacity, heart rate (or unchanged)
2: increased heart volume, intrapulmonary blood volume, R atrial pressure, L ventricular end diastolic volume, stroke volume, CO
physiologic response to exercise and immersion
physiologic adaptions are similar to land training
increased cardiac loading due to hydrostatic pressure
depth of immersion affects degree of cardiac changes
examination and evaluation for aquatic rehab
full land-based exam must be performed
- basic safety (ability to enter water, comfort)
- precautions
- contraindications
therapeutic exercise intervention
progress simple ROM exercises toward function limitations
use lever arm length and buoyant equipment to alter resistance
observe land mechanics before pool exercise to ensure proper technique
*buoyancy is used most often to facilitate ROM
muscle strength/power/endurance impairment
principles and progressions are the same as on land
resistance is influenced by surface area and direction.
be aware of groups providing stability
leg and trunk stabilizers are necessary to counter many UE movements
balance impairment
ideal environment for balance training
variety of activities can be performed
loss of balance is slowed dramatically
allows for increased reaction time
treating functional limitations
as pt improves, modify activities to address functional limitations
ex: decrease level of water as sitting activities improve
as normal mechanics improve, decrease water levels to replicate land based environments
contraindications
open wounds rashes active infections incontinence tracheostomy diuresis
precautions
fear of water cardiac hx overexercise limited lung capacity same precautions to land exercise
safety considerations
physiologic responses
temperature
hydrostatic pressure
