All these effects added together makes the underwater treadmill an excellent piece of exercise equipment, that can be extremely useful for obesity treatment, sports endurance training and general rehabilitation of leg problems.
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Underwater treadmill
Underwater treadmill functionality
Exercising on an underwater treadmill combines the favourable effects of water during the execution of stationary walking exercises.
An underwater treadmill turns the pool into a virtually endless pool; the patient does not have to turn at the end. Water has lots of favorable effects on the rehabilitation process. Because of the buoyancy, weight bearing in the legs is reduced, which makes it easier for an injured patient to exercise. At the same time, the warm water makes the ligaments more elastic and therefore range of motion is increased. As an added bonus, submersion in water reduces pain sensation.
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Miglietta (2025) A scoping review of the effectiveness of underwater treadmill exercise in clinical trials of chronic pain
So (2022) a study comparing gait and low limb muscle activity during aquatic treadmill running with different water depht and land treadmill running
Bose (2024) Motivation, Methods and Progress Towards Underwater Gait
Kiger (2013) THE CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSES OF RUNNING ON AN UNDERWATER
Kwok (2022) Effectiveness of Deep Water Running on Improving Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Function and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review
Jung (2018) The influence of water depth on kinematic and spatiotemporal gait parameters during aquatic treadmill walking
Jara (2019) Aquatic treadmill walking at three depths of water in people with traumatic brain injury
Park (2014) The Effect of Underwater Gait Training on Balance Ability of Stroke Patients
Hajouj (2020) Effects of Innovative Aquatic Proprioceptive Training on Knee Proprioception in Athletes with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction A Randomized Controlled Trial
Felten-Barentz et al (2018), Patient views regarding the impact of hydrotherapy on critically ill ventilated patients: A qualitative exploration study
Zotz (2013) Aquatic physical therapy for Parkinson’s disease
Waller (2017) Effects of high intensity resistance aquatic training on body composition and walking speed in women with mild knee osteoarthritis: a 4-month RCT with 12-month follow-up
Neira (2017) Effectiveness of Aquatic Therapy vs Land-based Therapy for Balance and Pain in Women with Fibromyalgia a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Graca (2020) Immediate Effects of Aquatic Therapy on Balance in Older Adults with Upper Limb Dysfunction: An Exploratory Study
Hall (2004) Cardiorespiratory responses to aquatic treadmill walking in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Napoletan (1994) The effect of underwater treadmill exercise in rehabilitation of Surgical Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair
Denning (2010) Underwater Treadmill Exercise as a Potential Treatment for Adults With Osteoarthritis
Roper (2013) Acute Aquatic Treadmill Exercise Improves Gait and Pain in People With Knee Osteoarthritis
Bressel (2014) High intensity interval training on aquatic treadmill in adults with osteoarthritis: effect on pain, balance, function and mobility
Andrade (2017) Oxygen uptake and body composition after aquatic physical training in women with fibromyalgia; A randomized controlled trial
Lim (2014) The Influence of Short-term Aquatic Training on Obstacle Crossing in Gait by the Elderly
Barbosa (2014) Effect of Watsu therapy on psychological aspects and quality of life of patients with temporomandibular disorder
Pérez-de la Cruz (2020) Comparison of Aquatic Therapy vs. Dry Land Therapy to Improve Mobility of Chronic Stroke Patients
Heywood (2018) Force during functional exercises on land and in water in older adults with and without knee osteoarthritis; Implications for rehabilitation
IATF COVID-19 Statement May 31, 2020
Brugghemans (2011) Parkinson gait balance endurance (dutch)
Squires Blackwell (2012) relationship of metabolic costs of aquatic treadmill versus land treadmill running
Hobbie (2013) Breast cancer (German)