The key to staying healthy involves eating properly, getting enough sleep, staying social, and exercising regularly. As we age, staying healthy can become increasingly more difficult due to a lack of energy and mobility. However, safer alternatives include swimming and aquatic exercises which have the same benefits as exercises done on land while avoiding having to place unnecessary stress on the joints, thus preventing pain. Various studies have found that aquatic exercises are much safer for older adults and are beneficial to their health and overall well-being.
Keep on reading to find out what are the benefits of aquatic therapy, how they are equally as effective compared to other exercises, and how they can improve and maintain your health.
Lower Chance of Falls and are Much Safer
Firstly, the main reason why aquatic exercises are getting more popular in older adults, is that they are generally much safer than exercises that are done on the land. This is because our vision worsens and our bones, joints, and muscles tend to become weaker as we age. As a result, we are more prone and at a higher risk of falling when doing exercises on land which can cause severe injuries and consequences. A study found that in America, about a third of the elderly population experiences at least one fall a year, with the expected costs hitting USD $44 billion.
To reduce the risk of injuries and consequences from falling, aquatic exercises are a much safer and easier way to exercise as it is equally as effective in helping you maintain and improve your strength and balance. In the unlikely event that you fall in the pool, it’ll be much easier to recover from it and aquatic exercise will improve your balance.
It’s a Form of Strength Training
Strength training does not necessarily mean that heavy weights or dumbells must be involved. In fact, aquatic exercises are a form of strength and endurance training due to the resistance against the water. Just simply moving your arms and legs against the resistance of the water is a really good way to build or maintain muscles. A study found that doing aquatic exercises for 12 weeks can help improve lower body strength, flexibility, endurance, power, agility, and balance.
Beneficial for Those with Arthritis
Aquatic exercises are especially beneficial for those with arthritis as it eases any strain or pressure placed on their joints so they are able to get through an exercise without feeling pain. A study found that aquatic exercises can help those with rheumatoid arthritis increase buoyancy and exercise without exacerbating their symptoms while enjoying all the benefits of aerobic exercise.
Effective in Maintaining or Reducing Weight and Body Fat
Another benefit of aquatic exercises is that they are effective in maintaining or reducing weight and body fat. So if you find yourself having issues with maintaining or reducing your weight and body fat, give aquatic exercises a try as they’ve been found to have significantly reduced the weight and body fat mass of many.
