Aquarobics: The Training Manual.

Aquarobics: The Training Manual Baum G. Philadelphia, PA 19106, WB Saunders Co, 1998, paperback, 213 pp, illus, $29.95.

The stated purposes of this book are to help health care and exercise professionals understand the underlying scientific theory of exercising in water and to guide them in the appropriate application of this type of exercise. The author designed this book to be used as a training manual for health care professionals who are interested in becoming an Aquarobics teacher (Aquarobics is a registered trade name in the United Kingdom) and as a reference for physical therapists. The text is well organized, concise, and comprehensive, and it comes with original illustrations and practical exercises.

The book is divided into 4 sections: "What is Aquarobics?," "Specific Population Groups," "Aquarobics to Promote Health and Fitness," and "The Exercises." The first section addresses the differences between land and water exercise and discusses exercise physiology, the properties of water and physiological adaptations, safety considerations, and the use of music. A historical perspective and a description of the Aquarobics system is included. The chapter on physiological adaptations is particularly well done, providing detailed information in an easy-to-read manner.

The second section addresses groups of people who are likely to have special needs or require special assistance (eg, geriatric patients, people who are pregnant or overweight, and people with arthritis or orthopedic conditions. The information is presented in a delicate yet thorough manner, with abundant tables and appropriate references. The weakest chapter, "Aquarobics for the Overweight," is also the shortest and least-informative chapter in this section. Potential weight loss is emphasized rather than discussing why water aerobics is one of the best and safest exercises for people who are obese.

The third section illustrates exercises designed to improve the performance of the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. This section is brief and relevant, but it contains several inaccuracies and outdated information. For example, the author states that exercising in water cannot produce strength gains similar to those produced by resistance exercise on dry land and that it is "usually not possible to produce a load that will tire the muscle in only 10 to 20 repetitions when exercising aquatically." There are, however, many devices on the market that can be used to provide high levels of resistance in the water; the author even mentions some of these devices in the exercise section. The overload principle of strength training is, therefore, as relevant in water as it is on dry land. The author also states that "muscle work in water is concentric," yet many of the exercises described in this book have an eccentric component. Perhaps it would be more accurate to state that exercise in water can accentuate the concentric component, but that an eccentric component is also present in many exercises.

The fourth section alone is well worth the price of this book. It features 114 well-illustrated exercises arranged by body part and overall function. The purpose and use of each individual exercise is clearly stated in a non-medical way. Two additional categories of exercise covering locomotion and balance training are included. This section contains a tremendous amount of information, and the information is easily referenced. Practically anyone reading this section will gain valuable new ideas.

This book is designed to teach the therapist or fitness instructor how to teach Aquarobics to a wide variety of people. Anyone involved in water exercise will find this book to be a valuable, easy-to-read, and very informative resource.

Gerry Van Dyke, PT, ATC, SCS
California Orthopedic and Sports
Therapy Rehabilitation Services
Aptos, Calif

Mr Van Dyke is the owner of California Orthopedic and Sports Therapy (COAST) Rehabilitation Services Inc, which provides physical therapy and athletic training services to professional, collegiate, and high school athletes.3