Joely Ramos

Activities Portfolio #7

LEI 4724

Activity Title: Aquatic Therapy

Source: National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability
(NCHPAD). (2014). Aquatic Therapy II: Building Inclusive Communities.
Retrieved March 11, 2016, from
http://www.nchpad.org/223/1460/Aquatic~Therapy2
Equipment: an available pool
Activity Description: Aquatics therapy is beneficial to almost everyone
regardless of age or ability because of its adaptability. Water allows
individuals to experience movement that can be performed on land with
difficulty, if at all (Dattilo & McKenney, 2011). There is a sense of freedom
that comes from being in the water where everything moves more smoothly
even for those with disabilities. In this activity, participants will lightly
exercise and increase aerobic activity, meanwhile practicing postural
awareness and spinal alignment (National Center on Health, Physical Activity
and Disability [NCHPAD], 2014). The following two exercises will be
implemented: the hundred and single leg circles. First, for the hundred, have
the participants stand in a waist high water level. Second, ask them to place
their backs against the pools border and face forward. Third, guide them
into pretending they are sitting in an invisible chair, with their thighs parallel
to the pools floor. Their backs should not move during this activity. Palms
should be facing backwards, shoulders should be relaxed, and face should be
facing straight forward. Fourth, encourage participants to begin pumping
their arms forward and back about 6 inches. Simultaneously, have them
inhale for five counts and exhale for five counts. Facilitator should
demonstrate how full breaths that contract belly area help with keeping back
against the wall. Do this for as long as comfortable. Next, move on to single
leg circles. In the same squatting posture as before with arms relaxed, lead
participants to lift one leg about 12 inches up turn it slightly diagonal from
the hip socket. Move the leg around the body in an infinity sign shape and
complete five circles. Inhale as you begin the motion and exhale to return to
the starting position. Then, do the same thing with the same leg but reverse
the motion, so that the starting point now becomes the ending point and vice
versa. Repeat the same steps with the other leg. As you progress, increase
the size of the circles and remind the participants that the back, hips, and
arms should remain against the wall.
Leadership Considerations: Certified aquatic therapists or physical
therapists typically implement aquatic therapy, but therapeutic recreation
specialists can also gain certain water certifications or help facilitate such
sessions (Robertson & Long, 2008). Although being in the water can relieve
many people from pain that exist more severely on land, there are
contraindications and precautions that facilitators should be aware of. If
participants dont know how to swim, there should be nearby floating devices

Joely Ramos

Activities Portfolio #7

LEI 4724

to assist them and a clear boundary between waist-high water and deeper
areas. Understanding the pathology of the population being served is
important because people with certain conditions such as epilepsy, open
wounds, bladder incontinence, and so on, need to be more closely monitored
than usual (Dattilo & McKenney, 2011). Knowing the personal goals of each
person, pre-meditating on the possible disadvantages of aquatic therapy,
and CPR/aquatic certification is most useful.
Adaptions: Participants with Parkinsons disease: Parkinsons disease
is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the speed and accuracy of
peoples muscle movement (Porter, 2015). As a method of helping
Parkinsons diseaseaquatic therapy performed in a specialized HydroWorx
pool with integrated underwater treadmill has helped individuals (Davis
Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's, 2013). However, this adaptation may be
a little costly or out of reach so other modifications can also be done.
According to Porter (2015), research has shown that where clients repeat
complex, high-effort tasks within novel environments, force limb use within
everyday activities, or have general, whole body progressive locomotion
training the best results have been seen. Therefore, adapting this activity
by adding assistive technology such as underwater treadmills or adding more
repetitions than normal, can help make this a more effective intervention for
people living with Parkinsons disease.
Participants with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Multiple sclerosis is an
autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the central nervous
system because the body is turning against itself (Fox, 2010). Aquatic
therapy helps people with MS move with less effort, but the same amount of
effectiveness. According to Porter (2015), making sure the water is cool
limits thermosensitivity which affects muscle contraction and relaxation.
In addition to that, Dattilo & McKenney (2011), suggest gradually increasing
the difficulty of the functional activity and remove external stabilization as
participants gain functional skills. In this activity, adding more repetitions,
and more full body movement rather than just the limbs, is adapting to make
stronger muscle movement and use. You create independence and a
constructive challenge for participants when you take away things like life
jackets and assistive floating devices from participants. For this particular
population, cooler water, less support, and more exercise is best. Also,
consider wearing aqua-shoes for protection and slip resistance (NCHPAD,
2014).
Adaptations References
Dattilo, J., & McKenney, A. (2011). Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic
Recreation (2nd e.d.). State College, PA: Venture Publishing.
Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's. (2013). Aquatic Therapy Provides
Hope for Parkinson's Disease Patients. Retrieved March 11, 2016, from
http://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/news/aquatic-therapy-hopeparkinsons-disease-patients/

Joely Ramos

Activities Portfolio #7

LEI 4724

Fox, R. J. (2010). Multiple Sclerosis. From

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanageme
nt/neurology/multiple_sclerosis/
National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD). (2014).
Aquatic Therapy II: Building Inclusive Communities. Retrieved March
11, 2016, from http://www.nchpad.org/223/1460/Aquatic~Therapy2
Porter, H. R., Ph.D., CTRS (Ed.). (2015). Recreational therapy for specific
diagnoses and conditions. Enumclaw, WA: Idyll Arbor.
Robertson, T., & Long, T. (2008). Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation:
Perceptions, philosophies, and practices for the 21st century.
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics