Weight Loss through Aquatic Exercise

Abstract

Obesity is one of the main causes of unwanted health-related issues. Obese people have a more limited ability to keep fit although they are seriously willing to do exercise and improve their physical fitness. While there are numerous methods and programs to reduce weight through land-based exercises, there still exist reluctance, discomfort and risks of injury during exercise for obese people. However, an effective exercise program should plan at a moderate intensity level with low-perceived exertion for obese people. Then aquatic exercise can be purposed as a convenience exercise without joint strain and high impact. Considering the physical properties of water, aquatic aerobic exercise not only can increase metabolic demand and burn calories but immersing the body in water provides a non-weight bearing exercise option. Consequently, the relevant knowledge about aquatic exercise assists to provide proper exercise programming as well as consideration of physical fitness programs for obese who are unwilling to do land-based exercise. As a background of obesity prevalence is presented in this chapter, there are focuses on aquatic exercise definition and its benefits as well the exercise prescription for weight loss. Then, a perspective of aquatic exercise for obese people and concise guidelines are reviewed in this chapter.