Water sports are good for people with arthritis. In fact, water sports are often used to help those who are recovering and rehabilitating after undergoing joint replacement surgery.
For people with arthritis, exercise can be an activity that feels difficult. In fact, in addition to maintaining health and fitness, exercise has been shown to be beneficial for people with arthritis, including reducing pain and increasing the flexibility of the limbs.
One of the recommended sports for people with arthritis is water sports. This is because the pressure in the water makes it easier for people with arthritis to move and train their limbs.
Benefits of Water Sports for Arthritis Patients
There are many reasons why water exercise is a great choice for people with arthritis, including:
- Increase the flexibility of limbs without putting pressure on the joints and spine
- Restores painful joint function without exacerbating symptoms
- Improve health and maintain body fitness
- Train body muscle movement
If you exercise in a swimming pool with warm water, there are additional benefits that can be obtained by people with arthritis, namely relieving pain in the joints.
Selectable Types of Water Sports
The benefits of exercise for physical fitness are unquestionable. Therefore, do not make arthritis a barrier for you to exercise. Physical activity has been shown to have a positive effect on arthritis.
Here are some water sports that are good for arthritis:
1. Swim
The buoyancy of the water allows you to move your limbs and joints more easily. For people with inflammation themselves, swimming can help keep joints flexible, reduce stress on joints, and increase overall body flexibility.
2. Walk in water
Water walking exercises are highly recommended for patients who find it difficult to stand and walk due to inflammation in the weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees.
When walking on water, you need more effort than walking on land. This allows people with arthritis to train muscle strength.
When walking in water, use the same technique as when walking on land, by placing the sole of the foot starting at the heel and ending at the toe. If you want to do this water sport in a deep enough pool, use a float to maintain safety.
3. Water aerobics
Water aerobics is a series of movements in the water that can stimulate the heart rate and train breathing. Aerobic movements performed in water are known to drain more energy and burn more calories.
Similar to walking in water, water aerobics is also beneficial for increasing flexibility and muscle strength. You can ask for help from a physiotherapist who can show you good movement techniques according to your condition.
4. Exercise in the water
Not only swimming, you can also do certain gymnastic movements in the pool to train the body's muscle strength. Movements that can be done include:
sideways movement (tic-toc)
Position the body in the swimming pool with a depth as high as the solar plexus. Spread your legs shoulder-width apart, then lower your left side to the side until your left elbow is submerged in the water.
Next, return the body to its original position. Do the same movement on the right side of the body and repeat this movement 8 times.
Exercise by the pool (flutter kick)
When your feet do not reach the bottom of the pool, hold with both hands on the edge of the pool. Next, move your legs like freestyle swimming with your legs straight while keeping your body afloat. This movement can be done as long as you do not feel tired.
Before doing water sports, consult with your doctor about the safety of sports and what movements to avoid according to your health condition.
The important thing that you also need to remember is not to skip heating and cooling. Stretch or warm up with the right movements and slowly so as not to put pressure on the joints.
If your arthritis is severe or accompanied by swelling, you are advised not to exercise until the pain subsides and the swelling subsides.
If while doing water sports you feel sick, dizzy, or out of breath, stop exercising immediately and see a doctor so that appropriate treatment can be done.
