With weakened muscles and joint issues, it can be tough for older adults to engage in physical exercises and keep fit. That’s why aquarobics, or water aerobics, is the perfect physical activity to solve this problem. With the exercises being conducted in water, there is less pressure being exerted onto the body and so you don’t have to fret about sustaining any injuries. Besides staying fit, aquarobic is full of other benefits, especially for older adults. You can easily adapt on-land aerobics to fit aquaerobic. Read on to learn more about the benefits of aquarobic.
Easy on the Joints
Compared to other exercises like jogging or cardio, aquarobics is easy on the joints. As water makes us buoyant, it supports our weight and lessens stress on and supports the joints, making it easier for us to move around. Additionally, water also acts as a resistance and can help build muscle strength easier. You won’t ever run the risk of experiencing joint pains with aquarobic.
Reduces Risk of Injury
The decreased pressure on the knees, back, hips, and ankles makes aquarobics one of the safer exercise options for older adults. With its protective quality when dealing with joints, ligaments and tendons, there is a reduced risk of damages and injuries like muscle soreness, sprained ligaments, and even bone fractures.
Improves Balance and Coordination
With aging comes the unfortunate side effect of decreased body coordination. However, aquarobics can counteract this. The aqua environment makes it safe to practice and build balance as the water helps to support the human body. What would have been a high impact fall with serious injuries is transformed into a mild loss of balance in the water. You no longer have to worry about falling and can safely improve your coordination and range of movement.
Strengthens Heart Muscles
As implied by the name, aquarobics involves performing water-related aerobic exercises. Aerobics are exercises which get your heart pumping. With aging, it becomes even more important to keep our hearts healthy to improve blood circulation. Aerobics are also important in lowering the risk of heart disease, blood pressure, and stroke.
Helps with Weight Loss
Obesity is incredibly prevalent in America with over 35% of adults aged 65 and above being obese, and this is expected to rise as the years go by. Obesity is an accurate predictor and contributor to many harmful diseases. Aquarobic and other water-based exercises can be a major help in losing weight. As water provides more resistance than air, simple exercises like walking in water will burn more calories than regular walking. Paired with the feeling of being less fatigue in water, aquarobics is a more effortless way to lose weight.
Therapy for Previous Injuries
For those who have suffered injuries from accidents like a fall, or require rehabilitation from operations like hip replacement, aquarobics is the perfect form of therapy to encourage healing. The buoyant nature of the water exercises yet supports the joints and muscles which are needed in accelerating the healing process. With the guidance of a trainer, aquarobic can aid you in restoring your body to its former glory.
