Aquatic ExerciseAquatic Exercise for Veterans in Pain

Traditional active exercise in an land-based setting (i.e., gym) has been shown to be effective in improving chronic pain management.

Exercise completed in a therapy pool with warm water that is matched to the active comparator.

Participants in the aquatic therapy group will receive aquatic therapy in a HydroWorx aquatic therapy pool at Hydrathletics.

In the aquatic therapy group the 20 minutes of aerobic exercise at each visit will involve walking on an underwater treadmill. The intensity of the walking will be determined by the participant at self-selected intensities that are not perceived to cause a lasting increase in pain for one hour after the exercise session.

The 20 minutes of strengthening exercise will focus on movement patterns that simulate common daily functional activities. Initial intensity of exercises will be determined in collaboration between the health professional and patient by testing the intensity of the exercise that allows the participant to perform 8 repetitions without experiencing a lasting increased in pain. Exercise intensity will be increased weekly by either increasing the number of repetitions or increasing resistance.

Traditional land-based training will take place the Hydrathletics gym with similar exercises provided to the aquatic therapy group.

The aerobic exercise for the land-based therapy group will be 20 minutes of treadmill walking. The intensity will be determined by the participant at self-selected intensities that are not perceived to cause a lasting increase in pain for one hour after the exercise session.

The 20 minutes of strengthening exercise will focus on similar movement patterns to the aquatic therapy group to simulate common daily functional activities. Initial intensity of exercises will be determined in collaboration between the health professional and patient by testing the intensity of the exercise that allows the participant to perform 8 repetitions without experiencing a lasting increased in pain. Exercise intensity will be increased weekly by either increasing the number of repetitions or the resistance used for the exercise.