Both water aerobics and hydrotherapy consist of exercises performed within a pool, however these are activities that have exercises, goals and are guided by different professionals.
Water aerobics is a set of exercises done in a pool as a regular practice of physical activity, being instructed by a physical education professional. Among its benefits are weight loss, improved cardiorespiratory fitness, relief from stress, anxiety and strengthening of muscles. The water aerobics is guided by a physiotherapist and has as its object the recovery of an injury in some part of the body, being a way of complementing the program of physiotherapeutic treatment.
The following table shows the main differences:
| Hydrogeology | Hydrotherapy | |
| Who guides: | Class is given by physical education teacher | Class is given by a physiotherapist |
| Main objective: | Fitness | Rehabilitation of the body after injury or heart problems |
| Who can do: | Anyone who wants to start physical activity | Patients who need to develop strength and flexibility in muscles, but can not have impact, achieving optimal contractions within the water |
| How long it takes: | An average of 1 hour per class | On average 30 minutes depending on the amount of exercise needed for rehabilitation |
| How are the classes? | Always in a group with equal exercises for all | It can be done individually, or even in a group, with different exercises for each person, unless they have similar needs |
| Where is the advisor: | Almost always outside the pool | In or out of the pool depending on the patient's need |
Hydrotherapy also improves the quality of life of its practitioners, but it is a therapeutic resource used in physiotherapy to obtain an accelerated and effective recovery of patients. The exercises used in hydrotherapy are personalized for each individual, with the aim of facilitating their rehabilitation. This therapy is indicated for orthopedic, muscular, neurological and respiratory injuries, for example.
According to CONFEF guidelines, only those who can teach hydrogymnastics classes are the physical educator, and according to COFITO, only those who can teach hydrotherapy classes are the physiotherapist. Both professionals must respect these guidelines, since they have different objectives and methods, one of another.
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