The wonders of water: swimming for recovery

Exercising in water can speed recovery from injury and illness while soothing painful conditions such as arthritis. The new sensory pool sessions at the Vivacity Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre offer the perfect environment for gentle rehabilitation, as Health and Wellbeing Manager Sarah Leadbetter tells us

Water is undoubtedly therapeutic, but what many may not appreciate is just how valuable it can be in speeding the recovery and rehabilitation of those with injuries or illness. While exercise out of the water can place undue pressure on muscles and joints, gentle exercise in the supportive environment of water gradually builds strength, ensuring minimal risk of re-injury. Water-based exercise can also dramatically improve the health of those suffering from conditions such as diabetes or recovering from a stroke, providing a strain-free way to build up long-term resilience. Patients with arthritis can also enjoy a less painful form of activity and exercise affected joints.

Sarah Leadbetter oversees the GP referral scheme for both rehabilitation and the prevention of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and other coronary heart disease risk factors: ‘The new sensory pool is ideal for anyone who has joint problems, mobility issues or who suffers from conditions such as asthma.

‘Because the pool is quite shallow [it’s just 70 to 90cm deep, or approximately waist height], people can walk up and down the pool with ease, taking the pressure off and enabling them to do a lot more exercise than they might otherwise be able to. Exercising in the water can complement land-based activity, but it’s also great for those who are clinically unable to exercise on land.’

As well as GP referrals, the pool is available to anyone who might have general aches and pains or who worries they are not doing enough exercise. ‘As well as the physical side of things, being in the water is good for anyone who feels down in themselves, for example those suffering from depression, anxiety or stress. We have programmes for many different conditions. All people need to do is come to us for an initial chat and we can invite them into the class that’s best suited to them.’

The pool-based GP referral sessions last for one hour and cost just £2.50 per session. ‘These sessions complement the land-based scheme that we have based at Hampton Leisure Centre. Pool users can access the warmer water in the sensory pool and do their own exercises to help their conditions and fitness levels.

Multiple benefits

Exercise in the water offers multiple benefits. ‘People usually have a couple of complaints,’ explains Sarah. ‘For example, people might come to us with arthritis in their knees, but alongside this they may be suffering from diabetes or hypertension. We have the specific condition classes at the Hampton Leisure Centre, while the pool sessions at the Regional Pool will complement these by allowing people to do extra work, gaining the additional benefits without the extra pain. The therapeutic benefits of water are well known. In the sensory pool this combines with soft lighting and the warmth to create a truly relaxing experience. The sessions are not set to a strict routine. ‘Instead, what we’re trying to do is create an environment for people to come in and do what they want to do, at their own pace. It may be that people are given prior information that includes recommended exercises for them. We want things to be very specific to each individual. So if someone just wants to sit in the water and relax to improve their mental wellbeing, we’re certainly wouldn’t cajole them into doing something they don’t want to do. These are very much unstructured and relaxed sessions so people can build on their individual needs.’ Also in the offing is a rehabilitation session for those recovering from cancer. ‘These sessions would be really good for those who may not feel comfortable going into the main pool because they feel self-conscious. The session would be therapeutic but would also seek to rebuild their confidence,’ says Sarah.

Other sessions

As well as rehabilitation and prevention sessions, the sensory pool is offering special aqua relax sessions aimed at those who simply want to enjoy some quiet time and destress. Mother and baby sessions, held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, will provide an informal atmosphere for mums to network and spend quality time with their babies in this special sensory pool. The timetable for the new sensory pool looks set to be busy, but the benefits this oasis of calm will bring means that many of us will be able to enjoy a more relaxed and supportive environment in which to exercise and unwind.

Benefits of pool exercising

● Low impact fitness: Walking or jogging in water opens up opportunities for people of all ages and levels of fitness because the environment in the water is more forgiving and less likely to result in the muscle soreness, stress fractures or injury that can sometimes occur with land-based activities.
● Buoyancy: Waters buoyancy virtually eliminates the effects of gravity by supporting 90 percent of the body’s weight for reduced impact and greater flexibility. This means that exercising in the pool allows for a greater range of movement without joint pain or re-injury.
● Resistance: Water provides a resistance that is proportional to the effort exerted against it. This makes water a natural and instantly adjustable weight training machine! Furthermore, water provides resistance to the movement in all directions.
● Weight loss: Walking in water requires more effort, which means that more calories are burned than by walking on land. This is due to the water’s resistance.
● Injury rehabilitation: Water is an excellent base for exercise, providing an anti-stress environment. For initial therapy, gentle water exercises use the water’s resistance to build muscle strength and flexibility. Water exercise can be performed more easily by people who find weight bearing exercise difficult or painful on dry land.
● Arthritis: Exercise in water is one of the most comfortable and effective ways that a person with arthritis can exercise because the joints and muscles move while supported by the water. Activities such as stretching or walking through water can exercise the joints without putting them under strain.

NEW Aqua Relax

The Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre is happy to announce a new swimming session. Aqua Relax is a stress-relieving water-based session which encourages gentle movements and stretches in the water. This session is held in the comfort of the shallow sensory pool with its slightly warmer temperature. The soothing music will wash away all of your worries and encourage relaxation. ● When: Sundays 7-8pm. Also Wednesdays 8-9pm, as part of Ladies Only ● Suitable for: Anyone aged 16 and older ● To book: No booking required, just pay your normal swimming admission price and join in!

Regional Fitness and Swimming Centre
Bishops Road, Peterborough PE1 5BW. 01733 864760,

www.vivacity-peterborough.com/venues/regional-fitness-and-swimming-centre

Image: www.freepik.com/free-vector/swimming-pool-background-in-flat-design