Arthritis, back injuries and joint replacement surgeries can rob seniors of their flexibility and range of motion.
But there is hope for people who have lost some of their mobility and range of motion, according to aquatics instructor Joe Turner. Turner teaches a range of motion class at the Prince George Aquatics Centre.
"A lot of people when they start going in the water are able to immediately put down their cane," Turner said. "There is lots of regulars who say they can reach the top shelf now."
The resembles aquafit classes, but the emphasis is on stretching and improving flexibility rather than cardiovascular exercise, he explained. Turner's class takes place in the warmer, shallow pool at the aquatic centre.
The warm water helps to relax the muscles, reducing the chance of injury or strain, Turner said. The one-hour class works the muscles and joints from the neck down to the feet.
"It's lower impact than Yoga or other activities," he explained. "The water can support up to 80 per cent of your body weight."
Although the class is made up primarily of seniors, he said, occasionally he has people take part who are recovering from joint or back injuries as well.
Instructors are trained and certified to teach the therapeutic course, Turner said,
"I'd been instructing kids [in swimming] for a couple years, and decided I wanted to work with adults as well," he said.
The classes run at the aquatic centre Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
At the Four Seasons Leisure Pool, range of motion classes are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
"It's ongoing. Anyone can drop in and try it," Turner said. "There is no fees except the usual [pool] entrance fee."
The aquafit and aqualite programs also offer low-impact workouts for seniors, according to Prince George aquatics coordinator Jim Worthington.
"On the aquafit front we have a class called aqualite," Worthingon said. "It's a low-to-moderate intensity aquafit class with low impact. [And] it's offered in the warm water."
Full schedules of programs can be found in the Prince George Leisure Guide or by contacting the Prince George Aquatic Centre at 250-561-7787 or the Four Seasons Leisure Pool at 250-561-7636.
