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Hydrotherapy/ UWTM

Comparative Efficacy of Water and Land Treadmill Training for Overweight or Obese Adults

Summary:

Comparative Efficacy of Water and Land Treadmill Training for Overweight or Obese Adults. {Humans}

Purpose: No known previous research has been published to explore the efficacy of underwater treadmill (UWTM) exercise training for the obese. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare changes in physical fitness, body weight, and body composition in physically inactive, overweight, and obese adults after 12 wks of land treadmill (LTM) or UWTM training.

Conclusion:

UWTM and LTM training are equally capable of improving aerobic fitness and body composition in physically inactive overweight individuals, but UWTM training may induce increases in LBM.

Author & Journal:Greene, Nicholas, et al, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2009
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Effect of swimming on clinical functional parameters and serum biomarkers in healthy and osteoarthritic dogs.

Summary:

This study aimed to determine whether swimming could improve function of osteoarthritic joints in canine hip OA.

Conclusion:

Conclusion, swimming over 2-day period, 8 weeks continually, can improve the function of OA joint.

Author & Journal:Nganvongpanit K et al. ISRN Vet Sci 2014
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Kinematic analysis of the hind limb during swimming and walking in healthy dogs and dogs with surgically corrected cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

Summary:

To determine hip, stifle, and tarsal joint ranges of motion (ROM) and angular velocities during swimming and walking in healthy dogs and dogs with surgically corrected cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture.

Conclusion:

Results suggested that following surgical management of a ruptured CCL in dogs, swimming resulted in greater ROM of the stifle and tarsal joints than did walking. This suggests that if ROM is a factor in the rate or extent of return to function in these dogs, then aquatic rehabilitation would likely result in a better overall outcome than walking alone.

Author & Journal:Marsolais GS, et al, J Am Vet Med Assoc 222(6):739-743, 2003
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Effects of partial immersion in water on vertical ground reaction forces and weight distribution in dogs.

Summary:

To assess the impact of partial immersion in water on vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) and vGRF distribution in dogs.

Conclusion:

vGRF decreased as the depth of immersion increased. The thoracic limb-to-pelvic limb vGRF ratio was unchanged in dogs after immersion to the tarsal or stifle joints, but it increased after immersion to the hip joints.

Author & Journal:Levine D, et al, Am J Vet Res 71(12):1413-1416, 2010
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Incorporation of exercise, using an underwater treadmill, and active client education into a weight management program for obese dogs

Summary:

Physical activity improves outcome of weight loss in obese humans, but limited information exists for dogs. Eight obese dogs (body condition score 5/5), of various breeds and genders, undertook a 3-month weight-loss program which included exercise using lead walks and underwater treadmill exercise. The median number of treadmill exercise sessions per dog was 13 (range: 5 to 17). Median distance walked per session was 0.97 km (range: 0.05 to 2.7 km) (0.6 miles; range: 0.03 to 1.70 miles) and this increased sequentially over the course of the study (P < 0.001). Mean [± standard deviation (s)] percentage of starting weight loss over the 3 mo was 18.9 ± 5.44%, equivalent to a rate of weight loss of 1.5 ± 0.43% per week. Thoracic and abdominal girth also declined significantly during the program (P < 0.0001 for both).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the potential benefit of including an organized exercise regimen, utilizing an underwater treadmill, in conventional canine weight management programs.

Author & Journal:Chauvet A, et al, Can Vet J. 2011 May; 52(5): 491–496
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