ALERT Mobilit y
Water workouts:
A novel way to wash away pain
by Amy Paturel, MS, MPH
Research shows that aquatic exercise
builds strength, balance and
flexibility without increasing body
temperature. It also allows some
people to move without the fear of
falling.
as much and you have more freedom of movement
and more flexibility,” said Nanette Denk, water
fitness instructor at the YMCA. “But the water is
pushing from all directions as you walk through it,
so you’re constantly working your muscles.”
Despite all of this exertion, research has shown
that water fitness activities can reduce fatigue in
people with MS.
In the pool at the Minnesota Valley Family YMCA
in Burnsville, Minn., you’ll find people with MS
doing jumping jacks and pumping their legs as
though they were riding a bike.
“The water takes away gravity so you don’t hurt
All ages—and ability levels
On land, some aquatic exercise clients use walkers,
some use scooters and some, wheelchairs. “As long
as you can walk across the pool in the water, you’re
in business,” Denk said. You don’t have to be a
good swimmer, or even a swimmer at all, though
the water should be somewhat cool.
Denk’s students use a variety of
equipment options to help keep them
moving. She said that
the following equipment
intensified workouts,
despite being uncompli-
cated and relatively low
tech and low cost.
Water belts. These
unique belts act as flota-
tion devices. In shallow
water, you can take your feet off the
pool floor and stretch out to simulate
being in deep water. In deeper water,
you can use a belt to float.
“I like to use the belts in deep water
where people can really stretch out,”
Denk explained.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE YMCAS OF GREATER ST. PAUL AND METROPOLITAN MINNEAPOLIS
