Clean Run - March 2011 - 55

Injured joints, either acute or from repetitive use over time, often show reduced range of motion. Due to the hydrostatic pressure of the water and the direct correlation to comfort, both manual and active range-of-motion exercises can be performed with a greater degree of success in the water. Warm water facilitates muscle relaxation (through pain relief and increased flexibility) and increases tendon stretch, especially in post-injury situations where muscle or ligament contracture has occurred. Underwater treadmill therapy provides a correct but exaggerated gait pattern, particularly enhancing flexion of joints. Several examples where this flexion is useful include a post-surgical cranial cruciate patient with limited stifle flexion and a postoperative fragmented medial coronoid process (elbow disease) patient with limited elbow flexion. Canine athletes can also benefit from an underwater treadmill or deep water therapy both in muscle strengthening and cardiovascular endurance. The buoyancy of the water reduces weight-bearing stress on the joints while the resistance of the water increases metabolic demand and improves muscle strength. The result is a very safe workout in a controlled environment. A conditioning program should begin at a tolerable level for the canine athlete and progress, evenly and purposefully, in intensity toward specific goals.

Water Variables
Depth, speed, direction, and turbulence are the most common variables regulated by the therapist in underwater treadmill. Temperature and turbulence are the most common variables regulated in deep water therapy. Changing depth of the water in the underwater treadmill can significantly alter the joint range of motion and level of physical exertion. Low water levels just above the carpus (wrist) simulate 91% of weight-bearing. This level increases carpal and hock flexion and is useful for dogs with reduced flexion of these joints. When carefully combined with weights, this water level can also help strengthen the flexor and extensor muscles in the canine limb. Intermediate water levels at elbow height increase resistance with minimal buoyancy, simulating 85% of weight-bearing. This level is excellent for conditioning athletes to build strength and aerobic endurance. Water levels at or just above the shoulder simulate 38% of weight-bearing, which is primarily due to having a significant amount of the chest submerged. This level provides maximum buoyancy for strengthening the limbs with minimal load on the joints. This water level is the best choice for athletes just beginning their recovery from injury or surgery. Levels above this cause the dog to float and shorten his stride, which can reduce the benefit of this exercise and its conditioning capabilities. Increasing speed increases exertion through turbulence and resistance. Slower speeds, 0.1-0.6 mph, are used primarily with athletes that have neurological problems. The slower speed gives the dogs more reaction time to properly place their feet. Moderate speeds, 0.7- 2.0 mph, are used for most post-surgical and arthritic

A Chihuahua swims laps for exercise with a vest that provides additional buoyancy. By also increasing resistance, the vest delivers a robust workout as he swims.
March 11 | Clean Run

This Labrador takes a short break during a conditioning session to ensure adequate cardiovascular recovery in between his intense aerobic activity.
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Clean Run - March 2011

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