Benefits of Using a Pool Treadmill
Using an aquatic treadmill is a great way to get a low-impact cardio workout. It takes pressure off your joints and helps reduce injury.
There are several kinds of pool treadmills. Some are free-standing tubs that include jets for resistance and adjustable water depth.
Low-Impact Running and Walking Options
Water running on a pool treadmill is not only a fun exercise, but it can also help improve your health and boost your confidence. This is because the weightless quality of water eliminates gravity-induced pounding on your joints.
Whether you are a beginner or an athlete, aquatic running can provide you with an extensive lower body workout, core conditioning, and cardio training. Plus, it can burn more calories than land-based running.
A hydraulically powered underwater treadmill allows you to vary your pace from a gentle walk to an invigorating run, all while providing low impact exercise. If you prefer a more challenging workout, you can also turn on the swim current for increased resistance against your core, leg and upper body muscles.
As a result of their many benefits, aquatic treadmills are popping up all over the place. They are particularly popular at elite sports medicine facilities, physical therapy clinics, and senior-living communities. They are a must-have accessory for any fitness buff. Check out our free information kit to learn more about these impressive devices.
Joint and Muscle Relaxation
One of the best ways to reduce the pain of arthritis and fibromyalgia is through relaxation. Studies have shown that a warm pool with a spa jet massage can significantly reduce the stress on aching joints and muscles.
Some people are also able to relieve muscle tension and stress by using a relaxing technique called progressive muscles relaxation. It involves slowly tensing the arms and legs while focusing on different physical sensations that come with each tense movement.
Performing this exercise on an underwater treadmill can be more beneficial for those with chronic pain conditions because the water’s buoyancy unloads the joint and allows patients to move without feeling any pressure. This helps to reduce the pain and improve range of motion that is often associated with arthritis.
The water also helps to strengthen the leg muscles. This is especially important for older adults who are experiencing weakness in their legs and ankles from arthritis or a previous injury.
A study conducted by Utah State University found that patients with osteoarthritis enjoyed a significant reduction in their joint pain after participating in underwater treadmill therapy. The study pool treadmill also noted that the underwater treadmill allows patients to undergo gait training with minimal risk of falling, which can cause further injury.
It’s also helpful for elderly patients who need to maintain their mobility and prevent falls, since an underwater treadmill helps to develop proper biomechanics. Statistically, a third of adults over 65 suffer from fall injuries each year.
Another benefit of a water treadmill is that it helps to rebuild strength for patients with hip surgeries and other conditions that affect the joint. Because the patient’s weight is reduced by 80 percent in an underwater treadmill, it can help to remove the strain from the affected joints.
Underwater treadmills are useful for all ages and fitness levels. They provide a low-impact workout and can be used for walking, running, swimming, and other aerobic exercises.
A free-standing water treadmill system uses a motorized belt that moves water in adjustable heights and can be equipped with jets to add resistance. Most of these systems are heated to 90 degrees, which promotes flexibility and relaxation while reducing fatigue.
Physical Therapy
Often when you have an injury, you will be sent to a physical therapy clinic where you will receive a specific program of treatment and exercises. The physical therapist will help you improve your strength and endurance, while also increasing your range of motion and strengthening your muscles.
If you are a runner, the physical therapist at your physical therapy center can prescribe an underwater treadmill to strengthen your leg muscles and improve your cardiovascular health. This type of exercise has been shown to decrease pain and increase muscle strength.
Patients who are recovering from surgery can benefit from underwater treadmill therapy as well. The low-impact nature of these treadmills allows you to get moving sooner and pool treadmill start regaining your mobility and strength faster than you would on land.
In addition, the hydrostatic pressure of water helps to promote healing and strengthens injured tissue, as well as reduces inflammation and swelling. Taking advantage of this unique feature of the pool treadmill can be beneficial for patients who have had a knee replacement, hip replacement, or any other joint surgery.
The ability to move and exercise sooner in an underwater environment can also make the recovery period more enjoyable, as patients will have a greater positive outlook on the entire process. Additionally, physical therapists can incorporate this exercise into their rehabilitation programs to help increase the speed of recovery and to keep patients engaged in their fitness goals.
Studies have shown that the use of an underwater treadmill can increase patient satisfaction with their rehabilitation. Many patients report increased confidence and a greater sense of accomplishment, which can make them more likely to continue with their program after they leave the physical therapy facility.
For patients who are unable to stand on their own, or have other issues such as balance problems, a harness can be used to provide assistance. These harnesses are available from several manufacturers, including Walkabout Harnesses, Help ‘Em Up Harness, Blue Dog Designs, and others.
In addition, patients with tetraparesis (the condition where the legs are paralyzed) should be accompanied by at least two people in the tank. A third person is essential to prevent head submersion.
Recovery Aid
After a workout, you want to give your body a chance to recuperate from the physical stress of training. Pool treadmills can help you do that in a variety of ways.
One way to do that is by increasing the amount of resistance you have to push against as you move forward on the pool’s surface. You can do this with weighted objects, such as foam vests or barbells, that you can place at chest or waist height. Another way is to use a swim parachute, a piece of fabric that you attach to your waist that creates drag behind you as you move through the water.
You can also add a pool-specific ankle weight to your feet, or a kickboard in front of you with your arms fully extended. You can also use your legs to propel yourself through the water, kicking from your hips as if you were a soccer ball.
Swimming is a great recovery activity because it doesn’t place as much pressure on your joints and muscles as running does. That’s because the water reduces the load of your body weight, making it less taxing on your knees, ankles and other joints.
This is a great option for people who are recovering from injury or surgery. Because of the reduced impact, underwater therapy can help patients get back to a regular workout sooner and maintain their fitness goals.
Physiotherapists and doctors also like to see swimming as part of rehab because it can help you strengthen your core, which is often weaker after an injury or surgery. It can also help you improve your flexibility and balance.
Some swimmers use a swimming pool treadmill during their rehabilitation routines. These systems combine the floatation and resistance of the water with a treadmill belt, which can be adjusted to match a patient’s abilities.
A pool treadmill is a good choice for runners and other athletes who don’t want to run on land, or don’t have a place for an outdoor jogging track. In addition to the water-friendly design, these machines are also lightweight and motorless, so they don’t require a lot of maintenance.