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Aquatic trademill: Promoting a range of motion while improving gait and strengthening muscles
The Rehabilitation Center, Bangkok Hospital has launched a revolutionising aquatic therapy, known as an "aquatic treadmill". Aimed at enhancing rehabilitation and physical performance, the aquatic treadmill deploys hydrostatic pressure, buoyancy and resistance in the water. This integrative underwater treadmill equipment delivers distinct advantages in promoting early range of motion, improving gait patterns and strengthening of affected muscles while facilitating the healing process.
Due to an adjustable hydrostatic pressure and water depth, the aquatic treadmill helps patients to improve their range of motion, strength and flexibility based on their individual fitness levels that present are a wide range of health conditions. In addition, treadmill speed and incline can be individually adjusted, allowing for a personalised program that is best suited for each individual.
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The aquatic treadmill in the Rehabilitation Center of Bangkok Hospital has been installed in private room, enabling patients to retain their privacy while exercising. The treadmill itself is connected to a screen monitor that displays real-time movement images. All functions are controlled automatically with an intuitive touch screen interface.
The water depth can be easily adjusted to suit patients or to challenge athletes. Physical exertion under the water enables the rehabilitation specialist to access and evaluate the strength, flexibility and range of motion. As a result, the biomechanics of movement, physical performance and gait patterns can be improved appropriately. Moreover, while running on the aquatic treadmill, the body undergoes greater exertion due to the viscosity of the water, leading to greater hip, leg and foot strength as well as improvements in core muscle groups throughout the body. This aquatic treadmill is highly advised for the following groups:
• Patients who require a fast recovery after injuries or surgery;
• Obese people who have limited physical fitness levels;
• Athletes or persons who need to improve their physical strength and performance.
HOW THE AQUATIC TREADMILL WORKS
Aquatic treadmill training is a rehabilitation method of gait training that utilises the water as a therapeutic medium. The beneficial characteristics of water include:
1. Density and buoyancy
Based on scientific fact, the average density of the human body is less than water density. In combination with buoyancy, it makes the body float on the water. In addition, water depth helps support body weight. While underwater, the body weight is reduced drastically. The aquatic treadmill deploys water buoyancy and density to run a gait training session with
alleviated weight, allowing the patients to move their extremities freely in the water. Compared to the on-ground weight support treadmill, the aquatic treadmill significantly reduces physical forces applied to the affected joints, resulting in minimised injuries. A given VDO clip illustrates water characteristics that pose superior advantages over land treadmill workouts.
2. Hydrostatic pressure
The natural hydrostatic pressure of water facilitates the healing process. Not only does the water reduce leg and arm swelling, but it also relaxes joints, improves strength and boosts flexibility. A given VDO clip illustrates hydrostatic pressure that alleviates swollen leg.
3. Resistance
Water resistance aids strengthening the core muscles in the body, similar to on-ground weight lifting. Strength training by using an aquatic treadmill also enhances physical and cardiovascular endurance, which in turn boosts a patient’s on-ground physical stamina.
4. Thermodynamics
When combined with the thermodynamic property of water, warm water used for aquatic treadmill stimulates sensory effects and regulates blood circulation, enabling patients to enjoy more joint and muscle relaxation.
BENEFITS OF THE AQUATIC TREADMILL
• Reduces physical force applied to the joints by using buoyancy in the water.
• Strengthens muscles and improves physical endurance by using water resistance (Jet Stream) and adjustable speed and incline.
• Relaxes muscles through temperature adjustment.
• Stimulates blood circulation throughout the body, increases muscle and joint flexibility, minimises pain and enhances relaxation.
• Promotes range of motion and improves movement stability.
WHO BENEFITS FROM THE AQUATIC TREADMILL?
• General persons or athletes who need to improve physical fitness levels and physical performance.
• Elderly people or persons who are at risk of falls and movement instability.
• People who have experienced joint or muscle pain caused by certain diseases, such as arthritis or chronic inflammation, spondylosis or fracture.
• Patients who undergo knee or hip replacement surgery (before and after surgery).
• Obese people who need to improve their physical fitness with less chance of injuries.
THE AQUATIC TREADMILL IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE:
• Inability to control bowel movements.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Open wounds.
• Contagious skin diseases.
• Underlying diseases, such as heart disease and epilepsy.
• Menstruation (during exercise).
• Abnormal vital signs, such as body temperature, respiratory rate and blood pressure.
PRECAUTIONS FOR THE AQUATIC TREADMILL
Since patients have to run on the treadmill in water by themselves they are required to be able to maintain their balance (fair to good functional balance grade), both static and dynamic. Prior to exercise, their balance will be evaluated by a rehabilitation specialist or physiotherapist. However, an exception applies to pediatric patients who are aged below12 years. In such cases, the physiotherapist will need to closely supervise the patients in the aquatic chamber.
For more information, please contact the Bangkok Hospital Rehabilitation Center, 3rd floor, R-Building.
Contact details: Bangkok Academy of Sports and Exercise Medicine Bangkok Hospital Tel: +66 2 310 3979 info@bangkokhospital.com
