Aquatic therapy

Question 1

What 3 groups of conditions benefit from aquatic therapy? 3

Answer 1

1. Rheumatological
2. Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal
3. Neurological

Question 2

Explain how aquatic therapy results in pain relief

Answer 2

1. warmth of water
2. suppresion of sympathetic nervous system
   3.

Question 3

Explain how aquatic therapy results in ease of movement. 2

Answer 3

1. support offered by buoyancy
2. reduced effect of gravity

Question 4

Explain how aquatic therapy results in reduction of muscle spasm. 2

Answer 4

1. warmth of water
2. suppression of the sympathetic nervous system

Question 5

Explain how aquatic therapy results in reduction of oedema

Answer 5

hydrostatic pressure

Question 6

Explain how aquatic therapy results in resistance to movement. 4

Answer 6

1. Viscosity of water
2. Negative drag of turbulence
3. Weight/density of the water
4. Upward force of buoyancy

Question 7

Explain how aquatic therapy results in enhanced relaxation 4

Answer 7

1. Reduced effect of gravity
2. Support from buoyancy
3. Reduction in pain
4. Hypnotic effect of water

Question 8

Explain how aquatic therapy results in enhanced well-being. 3

Answer 8

1. Ability vs disability (self esteem)
2. Social interaction
3. Enjoyment

Question 9

Explain how aquatic therapy results in Re-educaiton fo functional activities. 4

Answer 9

1. Unencumbered
2. Support from buoyancy
3. Resistance to movement
4. Metacentric effect

Question 10

Explain how aquatic therapy results in enhanced cardiovascular fitness

Answer 10

Resistance to movement

Question 11

List the benefits of exercise. 7

Answer 11

1. Improved cardiovascular and respiratory function
2. • Improved neuromuscular and physical performance
3. • Improved posture and appearance
4. • Relief of tension
5. • Stimulation of mental activity
6. • Increased general feeling of health and well being
7. • Delaying the aging process

Question 12

What condtions are cautioned for aquatic therapy? 6

Answer 12

1. Epilepsy
2. Pregnancy
3. Hyper/hypertension
4. Haemophilia
5. Acute fear of water
6. Possible infection spread

Question 13

What are the physical effects of water? 3

Answer 13

1. Buoyancy
2. • Turbulence
3. • Metacentric effect

Question 14

What is buoyancy?

Answer 14

“Upthrust” effect of water acting on a body; where gravity acts downwards, buoyancy acts upwards

Question 15

What are the uses of buoyancy? 7

Answer 15

1. To progressively strengthen concentric muscle actions (assisted, neutral, resisted)
2. • To resist eccentric muscle actions
3. • To resist isometric muscle actions
4. • To assist joint movement
5. • To assist prolonged muscle stretches
6. • To provide weight relief
7. • To assist relaxation

Question 16

What is turbulence?

Answer 16

A moving body leaves a wake of disturbed water. The water behind the body is swirling (eddy currents), therefore moving faster than the still water in front of the body. The disturbed area is at a lower pressure and creates a drag to movement. An object will always move from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. The faster the body moves the greater the wake and the greater the drag effect. This is known as turbulence and causes the resistance to forward movement.

Question 17

What are the uses of turbulence? 7

Answer 17

1. To assist movement
2. • To resist isotonic muscle action
3. • To maintain balance
4. • To displace balance
5. • To restore balance
6. • To assist walking
7. • To resist walking

Question 18

What is the metacentre?

Answer 18

The metacentre is the midpoint at which a body can be held in perfect balance. It is the resultant restoring or stabilising torque (twisting force) when the forces of gravity and buoyancy acting on an immersed object are not in the same vertical plane.