Activity Title: Aquatic Therapy-Stretching, and Strengthening.

Source: Oeverman, S. (n.d.). Why Aquatic Therapy? Retrieved from:

http://www.brainline.org/content/2009/05/creative-therapy-why-aquatictherapy_pageall.html
Equipment: Pool, and foam barbells.
Activity Description: Aqua therapy is the use of water and water-induced
resistance to improve physical functioning and is accepted by the medical
community as a method to rehabilitate, or re-educate, the human body. For this
activity it is recommended that the groups be conducted at a ratio of 1:1 and at
most 1:2. Gravity and body weight impacts the way the body moves. Water reduces
a human's body weight by 90 percent, allowing children and adults to ambulate
freely in a way that doesn't place undue stress on the musculoskeletal system from
forces such as gravity and body weight. The participants will enter the pool with the
CTRS and once comfortable can begin stretching. The participants will stretch the
hamstrings and lower back by slowly raising knees to chest, and stretching the
upper back and neck by standing away from the side of the pool and leaning
forward with arms outstretched to grasp the pool edge. Once comfortable with the
stretching techniques the participants can continue with the strenthening part of
the activity. The participants will use the foam barbells to complete bicep curls or
lateral side raises that work against water resistance. They can start by doing 5
bicep curls and 5 lateral side raises and once comfortable can increase the amount.
Leadership Considerations: The role of the CTRS in this activity is to be hands-on
and instructional. The CTRS must clearly explain the instructions for the activity as
well as demonstrate each of the stretching and strengthening techniques so the
participants know what needs to be done. It is important that the CTRS explain the
safety rules for the pool to ensure that their are no injuries. It is important that each
pool have a lifeguard available for emergencies. The CTRS should also be certified
in CPR and have knowledge of basic first aid incase of an emergency. The CTRS
must closely observe that the participants are doing the activity correctly to avoid
injuries to the individual.
Adaptations: Participants with Osteoarthritis. "Sometimes called degenerative
joint disease or degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common
chronic condition of the joints, affecting approximately 27 million Americans"
(Arthritis Foundation). OA occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your
bones wears down over time. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your
body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips, and
spine. It often gradually worsens, and no cure exists. It is important to stay active,
maintain a healthy weight and other treatments may slow progression of the
disease and help improve pain and joint function. For this particular activity there
are a couple adaptations that can be made so that an individual with osteoarthritis

can participate. First, the CTRS can choose a heated pool for participants with OA. A
pool of warm water provides an ideal environment in which to exercise because its
buoyancy counteracts gravity, thereby decreasing the weight placed on painful
joints and spine. "In fact, when immersed to neck level, buoyancy supports 90
percent of the body's weight. In waist-depth water, buoyancy can still support 50
percent of body weight" (Spine-health). The warm water environment of aqua
therapy relieves the friction on painful joints. For participants that have too much
pain in their hands they can remove the foam barbells all together and do the
resistance techniques with just there arms until they are comfortable.
Children with Cerebral Palsy. "The term cerebral palsy refers to any one of a
number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and
permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination but don't worsen over
time" (NIH). There is no cure for CP, but treatment, therapy, special equipment, and,
in some cases, surgery can help kids who are living with the condition. Since CP
affects muscle control and coordination, even simple movements like standing still
may be difficult. Aqua therapy is one of the best environments for a child with
Cerebral Palsy to improve physical functioning, especially if the child is not
ambulatory. The buoyancy provided by the water makes aerobic and anerobic
exercises easy to perform effectively and safely. Like with the participants that had
osteoarthritis, Individuals with CP will benefit by participating in pools that are
warm. The warm water has a massage effect on muscles, joints, and ligaments that
often times are over-used and in pain. Aquatic therapy aims to improve physical
function, develop and maintaining physical control, enhance self-concept and
confidence, among many others. This water activity will benefit children with
cerebral palsy in numerous ways. Water therapy provides resistance, alleviates
stress and tension, reduces pain and tension in muscles and joints, and decreases
post exercise discomfort. For children with Cerebral Palsy you can help them to
stretch their legs and arms under water. Swimming would be a tremendous benefit
to a child with CP as long as they were not pushed too far and were properly
supervised. If the child is normally in a wheelchair it can even make a life changing
difference to their mental and physical wellbeing. The CTRS can assist the
participant in walking with and without the use of flotation. They can also use
flotation to increase independence.