Overview

Aquatic exercise is a type of low-impact exercise that is done in water.

Aquatic exercise is most commonly used for pain-related conditions such as arthritis and back pain. It is also used for fibromyalgia, a lung disease that makes it harder to breathe (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Aquatic exercise is exercise in water. The water provides resistance. This might help build muscles. Exercising in water is also low-impact. This might make it less painful for people with pain or difficulty moving.

How does it work ?

Aquatic exercise is exercise in water. The water provides resistance. This might help build muscles. Exercising in water is also low-impact. This might make it less painful for people with pain or difficulty moving.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • Back pain. Aquatic exercise seems to improve pain and physical function in people with low back pain. It might even work better than land exercise.
  • Osteoarthritis. Aquatic exercise seems to reduce pain and slightly improve disability and quality of life in people with osteoarthritis. It seems work as well as exercise on land. But some people with osteoarthritis prefer aquatic exercise.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Aquatic exercise seems to improve motion, joint tenderness, and symptom severity in people with RA.

There is interest in using aquatic exercise for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects



Special Precautions and Warnings



Aquatic exercise is LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately and short-term. Water exercises have been performed safely for up to 12 weeks. Side effects are rare but might include dizziness, fatigue, and muscle pain.

Pregnancy: Aquatic exercise is POSSIBLY SAFE when used appropriately during pregnancy. Aquatic exercise seems safe when practiced for up to 45 minutes in water that is not too hot. But aquatic exercise that involves exposure to hot temperatures is POSSIBLY UNSAFE during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of aquatic exercise during breast-feeding. But there is no reason to expect any adverse effects.

Heart disease: There is some concern that aquatic exercise in warm or hot water might worsen heart problems. Hot water can increase heart rate and decreased blood pressure. Use caution or avoid aquatic exercise that involves hot water in people with heart problems.

Low blood pressure: Immersion in hot water might decrease blood pressure. Aquatic exercise in hot water might increase the risk of blood pressure becoming too low in people with this condition.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Aquatic Exercise overview.

Dosing

The appropriate or safe use of aquatic exercise depends on several factors such as the condition being treated or the person administering the treatment. Be sure to seek and follow relevant directions from your physician or other healthcare professional before using this treatment.
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