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Aquatic therapy in rehabilitation: A kinematic approach to understanding the efficacy of water-based exercise
Dissertation   Open access

Aquatic therapy in rehabilitation: A kinematic approach to understanding the efficacy of water-based exercise

Anna Severin
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast
2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00287
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Abstract

inertial sensors biomechanics squats aquatic therapy immersion
The use of water-based rehabilitation is widespread in both clinical and general health settings, as the properties of water offer several benefits for the human body. However, there is a relative paucity of research regarding the kinematic effects of water immersion, which has resulted in limited guidelines for practitioners wishing to employ water-based exercises in their practice. The primary aim of this thesis was to examine the kinematic effects of water-based squat variations on young, aged, and injured adults to further their application in rehabilitation. This will provide practitioners with novel insights into how water immersion may affect common exercises across different populations. This traditional thesis with publications is composed by five research projects, and one narrative literature review. Chapter 3 presents a validity analysis of the equipment used during the research project and introduces the methodology used throughout the subsequent studies. Three of the following studies (Chapters 4, 6, and 7) assess the kinematic effects of water immersion across three different populations during squat-like exercises. The additional study (Chapter 5) assesses kinematic effects of altered water depth during squats performed in water. These four research projects have been prepared for the purpose of publication in peer-reviewed journals. At the time of submission, two of the manuscripts have been accepted for publication (the literature review and the manuscript in Chapter 4), while the remaining three manuscripts are submitted and under review.

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