Benefits for older adults
Bone and muscle problems mostly arise in older adults as they age. They can highly benefit from these underwater treadmill exercises. In a study conducted for 12 weeks on patients in their mid-sixties, it was found that their muscle strength and flexion showed improvement by 18 percent in the knees and by 12 percent in the hips with underwater treadmill therapy. This figure calls for regular underwater exercises for elderly people especially those suffering from muscle or joint pain.Top underwater treadmill exercises
It is always recommended that you should perform any treadmill exercises under the guidance of your physiotherapist. They can guide you better with numerous useful exercises keeping in mind all the details and precautions.[ Also Read: Tips for people with bone problems ]
Underwater exercises mostly target joints and muscles in the lower and upper parts of the body.- The first one is doing the reps underwater. Starting from the hips this exercise tightens the muscles of the legs and makes them more mobile.
- The next can be easily adopted by athletes and people suffering from joint pain. You have to focus on knee joints and calf muscles by walking underwater in various routines. The pressure exerted by water helps in developing strength and tightens the muscles.
- Many experts suggest exercises such as heel-toe raises, side-to-side rocking which helps in warming up the often-ignored sides of feet, and trunk rotations and posture press-ups.
- Underwater treadmill exercises also count a series of arm and cross-shoulder swings where the hands are extended against the force of the water.
- The final exercise is hip stretches and abductions that help in focusing on balance, strength and motion.