Benefits of Water Treadmills
The buoyancy of water reduces the impact on joints, facilitating movement for people with injuries and mobility challenges. It also reduces stress on the muscles and bones, allowing athletes to keep up workout frequency and achieve similar fitness goals.
Patients can begin walking on the treadmill at different water heights, reassessing posture and gait quality as their speed and resistance increases.
1. Reduces Pain
For anyone suffering from joint pain, an underwater treadmill allows them to exercise without the pressure on their joints and bones. The buoyancy, resistance and hydrostatic pressure of the water help to reduce impact shock as well as muscle soreness.
The longer duration and heightened resistance of an aquatic treadmill workout improves cardiovascular stamina as well. This is particularly beneficial for those who suffer from heart disease or pulmonary problems. Furthermore, the sensory effects of water increase flexibility as the muscles and joints are relaxed.
For athletes, an aquatic treadmill is a perfect way to keep up training while staying injury free. As a result, many elite athletes use an aquatic treadmill as part of their training programs to reduce muscle soreness and recovery times between hard workouts.
The human underwater treadmill also allows individuals who have undergone surgery for a lower body injury to resume exercising earlier than normal. This can alleviate the psychological stress associated with a lengthy rest and rehabilitation period for sports injuries. water treadmills For example, runners who have suffered from iliotibial band syndrome and achilles tendinitis can continue to train using an aquatic treadmill.
2. Boosts Immunity
The buoyancy of water helps to take pressure off the skeleton and joints which can help with range of motion and strengthens the muscles. The water also promotes a healthy circulation which helps to boost the immune system.
Studies have shown that water treadmill exercise can increase the activity of white blood cells and antibodies in response to infection, as well as improve the flow of lymph. Long term regular exercise, like that performed on a HydroWorx underwater treadmill, has been proven to help maintain healthy immune function.
Water treadmills offer an ideal environment for equine athletes to build strength, endurance and speed without the impact on bones and joints. Equine rehabilitation professionals can adjust belt speed, water depth and frequency of exercise to meet the training or rehab goals of their clients. Athletes, beginning exercisers and experts alike can all benefit from the versatility of a Mirage aquatic treadmill. In fact, a study by Utah State University showed that when the resistance jets on a HydroWorx underwater treadmill were turned up to high levels, individuals experienced physical responses equal to and sometimes even outperforming those achieved on land-based treadmills with incline.
3. Stimulates Muscles
The natural buoyancy of water water treadmills lowers body weight and allows you to work out without the same level of impact. This makes it a great option for athletes who want to build endurance and maintain cardiovascular fitness, or people who are trying to lose weight.
Working group members have experience of using the treadmill as part of a range of training and rehabilitation programmes for sport horses. The use of the treadmill can be a useful complement to ridden exercise, providing an opportunity for the horse to train at a faster speed than overland, and to increase stride length and frequency to develop power.
In addition, the treadmill can reduce the impact of running and jumping, so that injured horses can reintroduce exercise gradually over time. It can also be used for more intensive workouts, as the resistance of the water increases intensity and challenges muscles. This versatility is why you will find them in gyms, triathlon studios and physical therapy facilities. They are also easy to transport and can be rolled through doorways.
4. Increases Flexibility
While regular treadmills pound your legs and hips, running in water allows you to achieve the same cardio workout with less impact. It strengthens your muscles, boosts aerobic fitness and enhances performance. It reduces the risk of injuries and enables you to work out longer, making it popular with runners and professional athletes who want to maintain their level of performance without the high levels of physical stress.
The natural hydrostatic pressure of the water alleviates swollen joints, increases strength and improves flexibility. As a result, it’s a superior choice for those recovering from knee or shoulder surgeries. It also promotes weight loss and helps you lose body fat at a quicker rate.
Equine water treadmills have become increasingly popular in recent years as an effective tool for training and rehabilitation, especially with horses with arthritic conditions. They help you work on specific stretching, ROM, balance and strengthening exercises prescribed by your physical therapist. Many of the newer systems are sleek and lightweight, yet robust and long-lasting. They’re easily rolled into your clinic, home or rehab center and are perfect for both rehabilitation and fitness training.
5. Helps Recover Faster
Water treadmills, with their conveyor belts submerged in a pool, allow patients to walk or run, taking advantage of water’s buoyancy and density to help alleviate body weight. These treadmills can also be used to increase joint flexion and resistance. For example, an injured dog might use a buoyancy device to help with stifle and hock flexion while walking on the treadmill (see Figure 3).
Many users have found that horses adapt more readily to treadmill exercise if they are exposed to short sessions (up to 15 min) over a short period of time. It is recommended that the water depth for the initial introduction to the treadmill be kept at fetlock level or below.
For humans, running on a water treadmill can strengthen leg muscles and improve cardiovascular endurance. It can also help people who cannot do traditional treadmill workouts because of injury or other reasons. Runners, including elite distance runners such as Budd Coates, who is the coach for four-time Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier Galen Rupp, have used treadmill training to stay in shape while recovering from injuries.
