Dive Into Fitness In The Pool

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday August 6, 2008

ILSA CUNNINGHAM

Most people don't consider water-based exercise as a good workout but, as ILSA CUNNINGHAM discovers, it takes more effort than you think.

Getting into shape usually evokes images of sweating it out in the gym, or gasping for breath while jogging.

Throngs of people, especially the young, are cramming into gyms and using the services of personal trainers to get fit.

More often than not, water-based exercise is never considered.

There's a widespread misconception that it's easy exercise, designed for the elderly and those returning from injury.

"It's seen as being for old ladies and pregnant women, but you can work quite hard," says Wollongong's Physical Therapy gym manager Paul Molinia.

"Generally younger people have the perception you don't flog yourself in the pool; you go for a run (but) you can flog yourself in the pool.

"People are quite surprised what you can do."

At Physical Therapy two water-based exercise programs occur in their hydrotherapy pool which clocks in at a steamy 32-34?C.

There's a gentle exercise class for those who are easing back into exercise, and aqua aerobics for the more energetic.

The pool is also utilised to complement land-based exercise.

"Football teams will play on a Sunday and use the pool afterwards. They'll do a recovery session in the pool with active stretches and a warm down," Molinia says.

Warm water has also proved a beneficial environment in which to increase flexibility and build strength.

Physical Therapy exercise physiologist Erinn Dawes works one on one with clients for rehabilitation sessions.

"You can put them in water and realise the range of motion and strength without hindering the process or going past the surgeon's protocols," Dawes says.

"The temperature helps with arthritis and joint problems, and the warmth of the water makes the muscles able to relax faster.

"(Water-based exercise) has less impact on the joints than jogging. It's good for reducing the strains incurred by strenuous running on land."

At the University of Wollongong's recreation and aquatic centre, running doesn't always equate to joint strain.

Young and old are drawn to multiple aqua jogging classes in the outdoor pool.

It's a time to build aerobic fitness, and socialise at the same time, says aquatic manager Bruce Power.

"It's a mixed bag, we get anything from students to people in their early 20s to 60s and 70s, all ages, shapes and sizes," Power says.

"People can talk while they're exercising.

"It's low impact so people can get in the pool, and the faster they move in the pool the more resistance.

"Exercises are at your own self-selected level. If you want to exercise you work as hard as you like."

The pool is also home to water polo and underwater hockey, for those with a competitive streak who enjoy team sports.

Underwater hockey is played by hitting a lead puck across the pool floor using a bat.

"All you see is bums and flippers, so it's not a spectator sport," Power says with a grin.

The aquatic complex is one of the few places in the Illawarra in which to play water polo.

Ken Rose has been a goalie with the Illawarra Water Polo Club for the past 30 years.

He says it's a fun team sport to play that sees very few injuries.

"There's a few problems with shoulders, but that's about it. The worst injury I've seen was someone poked in the eye with a finger," the 60-year-old says.

"For top swimmers it's a good game to play, they could use their skill in the water.

"You don't need to be fit, but you've got to be fit to play good."

Rose says the sport attracts kids to adults, who enjoy the thrill of the game in a social environment.

"It's like exercising, but not hard exercising. It takes effort but is not like running a marathon, it's not as hard on you as a marathon," he says.

While the popularity of water polo has waned in recent years, due to what he regards as the wide variety of sports activities available, he swears by it.

"Water-based activities benefit wellbeing," Rose says.

"It's physical activity and it's less stressful than land-based activities."

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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