The Benefits of an Underwater Treadmill

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or working to improve your fitness, an underwater treadmill is a great way to maintain exercise goals without putting too much pressure on the body. The water’s buoyancy and therapeutic heat help reduce joint stress while exercising.

These aquatic treadmills smoothly accelerate from 0 to 8.5 mph and allow you to correctly simulate land-based walking, running and sports-specific exercises but without the body weight and joint impact.

It is a great way to rehabilitate injuries

The warm, buoyant environment of an underwater treadmill helps with muscle toning and cardiovascular conditioning while reducing stress on joints. This can help people with injuries and disabilities get back on their feet more quickly. Many athletes, including top distance runner Galen Rupp and elite coach Alberto Salazar, use the aquatic treadmill to supplement their road running. The system is also used by patients with joint pain, such as Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS).

Most postsurgical and neurologic patients suffer from some degree of muscle atrophy. Walking on the underwater treadmill improves strength and mobility, but it can be challenging to motivate a patient to walk in water. Treats placed on the ramp and tread or a frozen cup smeared with peanut butter can often motivate such patients to walk.

For more intensive workouts, some underwater treadmill units can add jets to increase turbulence and exertion. This is especially useful for patients with hip dysplasia and geriatric patients who have become weak from inactivity. However, the jets should not be used on patients with unstable stifles or those who have recently undergone cruciate surgery.

Most physical injuries can be treated with underwater treadmills. However, it is important to note that some injuries must wait until the incisions have healed before using a hydrotherapy program. This is because some sutures dissolve over time and can cause infected or irritated wounds if they get wet.

It is a great way to lose weight

Running on an underwater treadmill, also known as aqua jogging, is an excellent way to lose weight and strengthen your body. It provides an effective cardiovascular workout, and it helps reduce your blood pressure levels. In addition, the treadmill reduces the amount of stress on your knees and feet. This allows you to exercise for a longer period of time without hurting your joints.

The aquatic treadmill can be used by people of all ages and abilities, including children and elderly adults. It is available in several types, Underwater treadmill including portable models that can be easily moved and stored. Some models feature jets that allow you to increase or decrease the resistance of your workout. Others are built into a standard pool or rehabilitation tub.

Incorporating the aquatic treadmill into your physical therapy program can help you reach your goals faster. It is important to start slowly and increase your time as you feel comfortable. This will prevent injury and allow you to recover more quickly. If you are interested in trying an underwater treadmill, contact your physical therapist for more information.

At AICA Orthopedics, we are proud to offer a state-of-the-art HydroWorx 300 Sport model in our Silvis facility. This equipment has two underwater cameras and flatscreen viewing monitors to enhance our therapist’s diagnostic capacity, plus a resistance jet to increase or decrease water level and speed of the treadmill.

It is a great way to train for a race

Runners often train on an underwater treadmill as part of their training. These treadmills are particularly useful for injured runners, as they help to tone and strengthen leg muscles without placing any pressure on the injuries. In addition, they can reduce the risk of injury in the future.

Running on an underwater treadmill is a low-impact workout that helps to tone muscles and improve balance. Additionally, the water’s viscosity provides greater exertion, which is great for increasing stamina. As a result, runners who use an underwater treadmill can run faster than those who only run on land.

These treadmills are also used in rehabilitation. They can provide respite from muscle or joint injuries, and they can be adjusted to fit each patient’s needs. The treadmills are designed to be waist- or chest-height, which creates a 75 percent weight reduction and minimizes the impact on the injured area. They can also be used to treat common running injuries, such as iliotibial band syndrome and knee pain.

In fact, a recent study by the University of Texas at Austin found that people who alternated running on an underwater treadmill with regular road runs had a greater improvement in their lean body mass than those who only ran on the surface. This is because running in water increases the range of motion and flexibility of your joints. It also burns more calories than normal running.

It is a great way to train your dog

Underwater treadmills are great for dogs that have joint and muscle problems. They provide a unique way to exercise your dog without impacting the joints. This type of therapy has been used by humans for many years, but now veterinarians are using it for dogs. The treadmills allow dogs to build strength and improve their mobility. They can even help with weight loss.

The water in an underwater treadmill can be heated to a comfortable temperature, and it can be adjusted to fit the pet’s needs. For example, a smaller dog may need to start at a lower speed than a larger one. The therapists can also use jets to increase the turbulence in the water, which increases the level of exertion and helps the muscles work harder.

It is important to note that underwater treadmills should not be used for dogs with open wounds Underwater treadmill or casts. These types of wounds can be damaged by water, and they can become infected. It is also important to consult a certified canine physical therapist to assess your dog’s gait pattern.

After just a few sessions on an underwater treadmill, Couper was walking normally again. His back leg was fully extended, and he was jumping again. He is now feeling like a puppy again and has an increased energy level at home. For geriatric dogs with joint and muscle problems, the underwater treadmill is a safe, effective form of exercise.