When we think about arthritis, we think of it in the elderly in our community. The reality is that arthritis is a condition that is common in people of all ages.
When it comes to gaining some relief from joint pain and inflammation, we have spoken about hand therapy and supplements for arthritis. Today we will dive into water-based activities and their benefits for arthritis.
Water-based activities can be both helpful and enjoyable for those with arthritis. The water provides warmth and support which can really help the exercising of joints and if feels less like a workout because 90% of your body weight is supported by the water.
Puts less stress on your joints
Water-based activities won’t inflame or hurt your joints as much as working out in a gym as the water supports your weight. The relatively weightless environment and support from the water help you to overcome the painful movement of joints with arthritis.
Help cardiovascular fitness
Water based activities work on your whole body, you move in multiple directions and movements are smoother than when on land.
Exercising in the water allows you to work to a higher level due to this and it helps increase mobility and strengthens your cardiovascular system as well as giving you relief from arthritis pain.
Helps strengthen your muscles
Think about how long it takes to walk from one side of the pool to the other and how long it would take the same walk on land. It’s slower in the water, right? This is because the water provides resistance to air (up to 12 times more resistance).
This resistance now helps strengthen your muscles and helps you burn more calories and lose weight faster.
Water is safer to exercise in
Due to the support and calmness of water-based activities, you can challenge yourself more and there is minimal risk of injury when the balance is lost.
Improves your balance and coordination
Water supports weak muscles and helps you feel less afraid of falling. Water-based activities give you more confidence as your body is repeatedly challenged to stabilize against moving water. Rhythmical movements help you to improve balance and coordination. Movements like jogging on the spot.
For more information on physical activities with arthritis, you can check out Get Ireland Active.
Suffer from arthritis and find it hard to enjoy the little things like making yourself a cup of tea? Why not check out our fluid motion Uccello Kettle? Hand or wrist pain when boiling the kettle will be a thing of the past with Uccello.
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