Almost everyone knows how to swim: it's something you usually learn as a child. Then there are those who decide to enroll in swimming courses in the pool with lifeguard training near me , to improve their style, technique and performance in the pool.
But what do we really know about swimming rehabilitation ? And why can it be the right sport in case of injury , when rehabilitation is needed? Let's find out together!
Swimming: how does it affect the body?
Swimming is that motor activity that allows the body to float and move in the water: it is a sport that involves all the muscles of the body and, in addition to being an Olympic sport, it is a very popular recreational activity, as it is complete and healthy , which distributes movement throughout the body.
Swimming promotes both physical and psychological health and well-being.
Usually, practicing it results in an increase in muscle mass and a consequent decrease in fat mass , developing the bone scaffolding and expanding the rib cage. In addition, swimming improves motor and respiratory coordination and reduces spasticity. It is also a particularly useful sport for purposes such as the swimming rehabilitation of injuries and injuries.
Why is swimming useful for rehabilitation?
There are several reasons why swimming is considered a suitable sport for rehabilitation :
- it is low impact;
- it is a form of active stretching.
The decrease in the force of gravity makes all movements more natural and the joints are not affected by the efforts made, allowing the execution of some movements that, out of the water, would not be possible. Furthermore, the resistance made possible by the water is homogeneous: thanks to this characteristic, the muscular tension is uniform during the movements. It must be remembered that, to perform rehabilitation exercises in water, it is not necessary to be an expert swimmer.
The pools dedicated to rehabilitation have a water level that normally does not exceed 120 cm and there are tools that provide the necessary support for floating.
In case of symptoms affecting the back , swimming and all water sports can be of great help.
“ There are some more 'asymmetrical' sports that involve the muscles in a more disharmonious way that shouldn't be chosen in the first place, but compared to a sedentary lifestyle they obviously have advantages . Swimming is a harmonious sport that can help, together with specific postural re-education sessions to symmetrize muscle work ”.
How do you set up a correct rehabilitation program in the water?
The program to follow is usually built by a specialist who takes into account the patient's needs and the goals that are set. Usually, rehabilitation in water , like many other sports, is structured in two or three sessions a week for a variable period of time.
What techniques are performed for rehabilitation?
The rehabilitation techniques consist in performing various exercises, often also performed in the gym, with part of the body immersed in water. These exercises can be divided into four macro-categories:
- muscle tone exercises;
- exercises for joint mobility and balance;
- exercises for the recovery of motor patterns;
- exercises for the recovery of sporting gestures.
The exercises are gradually modified to increase their difficulty: it is sufficient to increase their amplitude, speed or use tools that create resistance. Furthermore, it is possible to modify the exercises , modulating the degree of water depth. The modification of the exercises with American lifeguard class VA, however, can be carried out only once the patient regains, at least in part, the lost functions by tolerating greater loads.
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