Aquafitness training - develop skills and knowledge to deliver water based activities.
Take the aquafitness course to -
- Understand how aquafitness can be used as a strategy for rehabilitation after an injury or illness.
- Further develop your skills as a health, fitness or sports professional.
- Learn how to control the environment for a safer method of aerobic and strength training.
- To improve an athletes stamina and performance.
COURSE STRUCTURE AND LESSON CONTENT
The course comprises 7 lessons as follows:
Lesson 1. Introduction
- The introduction defines aqua fitness and therapy and how it differs from other fitness activities. The lesson encompasses the different stages of a fitness session and the management of an aquatic centre.
Lesson 2. Equipment and Facilities
- The aim of this lesson is to gain the skills and knowledge which will aid in the selection, use and management and facilities required for aqua fitness activities. Topics include pool position, design and depth, equipment required for aqua fitness activities, music and first aid requirements.
Lesson 3. Types of Exercises
- Gain an understanding of the wide range of different aerobic and anaerobic movements that can be used in aqua aerobic programs. Lesson content includes stretching, aerobic and anaerobic principles and exercises in both shallow and deep water.
Lesson 4. Hydrostatic and Hydrodynamic Principles
- Develop an understanding of the principles underlying the design of an appropriate aqua fitness program. The lesson includes definitions of pressure, weight and body alignment in water, warming up, recovery and cool down.
Lesson 5. Safety and Health
- Gain an understanding of the aqua fitness training requirements of special needs groups. The lesson includes pregnancy, safety and health requirements, pre-exercise screening checklists, liability and legislation.
Lesson 6. Program Design
- Develop skills and knowledge in the design and delivery of appropriate aqua based programs to improve and maintain aerobic fitness. Subjects covered include program aims, warm up, the exercise body, recovery and cool down examples, as well as intensity levels.
Lesson 7. Leading a Program
- This lesson explores the skills needed to provide better leadership qualities during an aqua fitness session. The lesson covers leadership concepts, teaching, communication, body language and student numbers.
BEFORE YOU START EXERCISING IN WATER
Warming Up
A person is more susceptible to the following injuries if they exercise without warming up first:
Warming up does the following:
- It gets the muscles moving and in doing so begins to lubricate the joints.
- It gently stretches the muscles conditioning them for more vigorous movements to follow.
- It increases the heart rate and respiration slowly which is safer than a rapid increase.
- Blood flow is increased
This warm up can be achieved by any gentle movement such as walking, either in or out of water, gradually increasing the intensity or effort, and ensuring that a wide variety of muscles in all parts of the body are moving.
There are five aspects to the warm up:
- The overall body temperature is increased by overall general movement such as running or jumping. The heart rate should be increased gradually and sustained at a raised level for perhaps 5 minutes. The intensity and duration of this part of the exercise will depend upon the individual’s level of fitness and the environmental conditions It can take longer to warm up if exercising in colder water.
- Major muscle groups should be utilised first then smaller groups.
- Blood flow to specific areas may need to be increased during warm up. The muscles are then targeted, and the importance of this will depend on the condition of the individual and the purpose of the exercise session. If exercise is being undertaken for therapy of an injury in the arms, then prescribed arm exercises might be important during this warm up stage.
- The muscles which are to be involved in the exercise session should be stretched gradually. The range of exercises prescribed in this warm up stage should ideally encompass comfortable stretches – each for at least 20 seconds duration.
- The joints which are to be involved in the exercise session should be moved gently at first. Extend intensity and range of movement gradually.
Valuable training - flexible studies
This course has been designed for anyone with the following responsibilities or interests:
- Responsible for the safety of activities around water and facilities.
- Teaching or facilitating aquafitness to classes or groups .
- Using water based fitness equipment.
- Understanding hydrostatic and hydrodynamic principles.
- Involved in fitness program design.
- Wanting to develop personal knowledge for self-training or delivery of fitness programs including water fitness.
The course is studied by distance learning. Our courses are self-paced, meaning you have the flexibility to study where and when you choose - fitting studies around your work or other commitments.
Students taking this course will -
- Learn about aquafitness and understand its therapeutic benefits.
- Truly understand the selection, use and management of appropriate facilities.
- Develop and improve communication skills.
- Learn leadership concepts and how these can be applied.
- Develop and expand professional skills.
- Expand your existing range of services to clients.
Expert Tutors
Our courses are written and delivered by experts. Students studying Aquafitness will be supported in their studies by our highly knowledgeable Health and Fitness tutors. At the end of each lesson in the course, there is an assignment for students to complete and submit to the School. This is marked and returned to the students with comments and suggestions from their tutor on the work they have submitted.
You can enrol on the course at any time - simply go to the enrolment box at the top of this page. Or, if you have any questions about the course or would like to know more about studying with ACS, get in touch with our specialist Health and Fitness tutors today - they will be pleased to help you.