February 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 65

Overall, the AWEP program focuses on inclusiveness and individualization-even while accommodating large groups in a pool at one time.
Because no swimming ability is required for any
of the exercises, the only thing necessary for participation is a medical clearance. Activities that take
place in deeper water include flotation belts, so no
heads are ever submerged. And participants are instructed on how to customize the exercises: Since
water provides 10 times more resistance than air, it
is an ideal medium in which to experiment with different intensities of exercise.
Not only is the program flexible and simple to
implement, but, given the sheer number and variety of injuries, the case for a standardized aquaticsbased alternative to traditional physical therapy is
compelling. " As of mid-December 2010, the number
of combined soldier injuries for the Army is about
30,000 wounded, with many seriously wounded, "
Wykle points out. " The programs would be available
[through WTUs and the Army's physical therapy departments] for soldiers recommended for aquatic activity as a part of their recovery. The Marine Corps is
also interested in the program because of the everincreasing number of wounded Marines. "

The Two Stages of a Soldier's Rehabilitation

An AWEP instructor and program
participant work one on one as part
of the Aquatic Rehabilitation Program
pilot at Fort Belvoir, Virginia

The two phases of the pilot aquatic exercise program
reflect the stages of recovery that most persons with
musculoskeletal injuries go through. The first part
is the Aquatic Rehabilitation Program: a set of therapy protocols designed for those under the care of
a doctor or physical therapist. Many of the soldiers
in need of therapy are returning from service with
lower back or joint injuries-and the weight-bearing exercises involved in traditional physical therapy
can put additional stress on the back and the body's
major joints. Aquatic therapy, on the other hand, relieves joint stiffness and increases range of motion
and flexibility. Immersion in water also reduces pain,
due to water's dispersion of pressure. Furthermore,
Wykle's program puts special emphasis on stabilizing the lumbar region of the spine and strengthening those core muscles that help support the spine.
The second part of the program is for soldiers
who have finished their rehabilitation programs-
but who continue to need help overcoming limitations and managing pain. One of the primary goals
of that second phase is to prepare the soldiers for
return to their regular units, through an alternative
cross-training program that offers the same overall
fitness benefits as land-based training.
One surprising aspect of the program is its instructor training regimen which requires no background in aquatics. Trainers in the pilot programs

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February 2011 - Parks & Recreation

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