Aquatic Exercise Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More
What is this page for?
First and foremost: how Aquatic Exercise interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Aquatic Exercise is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.
But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Aquatic Exercise is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
Check Aquatic Exercise against your medication
Add one medicationDrugs that interact with Aquatic Exercise
0 medications have a known interaction with Aquatic Exercise, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Aquatic Exercise. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.
What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean
Severity — How Serious It Can Be
- Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
- Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
- Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
- No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.
Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented
- Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
- Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
- Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
- Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Where This Data Comes From
- Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
- Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Aquatic Exercise combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
- Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Aquatic Exercise: Uses, Safety & Side Effects
Aquatic exercise is physical activity done in water, such as water aerobics, lap swimming, or pool-based physical therapy. The buoyancy of water reduces stress on joints, making it a gentle, generally safe way to build strength, flexibility, and fitness, especially for people with arthritis or chronic pain. Check with your doctor before starting if you have heart, lung, or balance problems.
- Common forms
- Water aerobics, aquatic physical therapy, swimming, deep-water running, hydrotherapy classes
- Arthritis and joint pain
- Low back pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Balance and fall prevention
- General fitness and weight management
- Rehabilitation after injury or surgery
Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.
For most people, water-based exercise is a low-impact and safe form of activity.
When conducted appropriately, short-term. Clinical research suggests that aquatic exercise is safe during pregnancy when conducted at temperatures ran...
Read the full pregnancy detailAquatic exercise is generally compatible with breastfeeding.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.
Overview
Aquatic exercise is any physical activity performed in water, usually in a swimming pool. It includes water aerobics, lap swimming, deep-water running, and pool-based physical therapy (sometimes called hydrotherapy or aquatic therapy).
The main feature of water is buoyancy, which supports your body weight and takes pressure off your joints. Water also provides gentle resistance in every direction, so your muscles work without the jarring impact you get on land.
People of all ages and fitness levels use aquatic exercise. It is especially popular among older adults, people with arthritis or chronic pain, those recovering from injury or surgery, and anyone who finds land-based exercise uncomfortable.
How it works
Several properties of water explain the benefits:
- Buoyancy reduces the load on your joints and spine, so you can move with less pain.
- Resistance from the water helps strengthen muscles as you push and pull through it.
- Hydrostatic pressure (the gentle squeeze of water on your body) may help reduce swelling and improve circulation.
- Warmth of heated therapy pools can relax muscles and ease stiffness.
Like other forms of exercise, aquatic activity also improves heart and lung fitness, supports healthy weight, and may boost mood. These effects are well understood and based on human studies, not just laboratory work.
Does Aquatic Exercise work?
How to read these evidence grades
Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.
Possibly Effective Back pain
A meta-analysis and individual preliminary clinical trials show that aquatic exercise reduces back pain severity and improves some measures of physical function when compared with control. Controls included no exercise, land exercise, multi-modal exercise programs, or a combination of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and infrared ray thermal therapy. Benefits may last up to 12 months. The available trials are limited by their generally small size, as well as heterogeneity between studies. One clinical study shows that adding 20 minutes of deep-water running to a 40-minute aquatic aerobic exercise class twice a week for 9 weeks is more effective for reducing chronic lower back pain than aquatic exercise alone. However, this added benefit was no longer present 3 months after treatment completion. Also, there were no additional improvements in function or overall disability. Some individual studies show that aquatic exercise is no better than land-based exercise for improving low back pain; however, these studies might have not been powered to detect smaller effects.
Possibly Effective Osteoarthritis
A meta-analysis of 10 clinical trials shows that aquatic exercise modestly improves pain, disability, and quality of life in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis. Trials included in the analysis consisted of 30-60 minute aquatic exercise sessions 2-3 times weekly for up to 12 weeks. Another meta-analysis of eight clinical studies shows that aquatic exercise seems to be as effective as land-based exercise for improving pain, physical function, and quality of life. However, patients seem to slightly prefer and better adhere to aquatic exercise when compared with land-based exercise.
Possibly Effective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Clinical research in patients with RA shows that doing 30 minutes of aquatic exercises once or twice weekly for 4-6 weeks improves joint tenderness and range of motion when compared to baseline, although these improvements were similar to land-based exercise. Patients participating in aquatic exercise experienced a greater perceived improvement in disease severity when compared with land-based exercise.
Also studied for 21 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Cerebral palsy
Preliminary clinical research in children with cerebral palsy shows that doing 1 hour of aquatic exercise twice weekly for 12 weeks along with standard physical therapy improves motor function compared to physical therapy alone.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A small study in patients with moderate to severe COPD shows that receiving 45 minutes of aquatic exercise three times weekly for 12 weeks improves walking distance and self-rated quality of life compared to no training or training on land. Another small study in patients with COPD shows that practicing high-intensity aquatic exercise for two to three 1-hour sessions weekly for 6 months improves physical activity in daily living, muscle strength, exercise capacity, quality of life and functional status similarly to the control group performing high-intensity exercise on land. There was no change in lung function for either group.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Depression
A preliminary clinical study in elderly patients with major depressive disorder shows that training in aquatic exercise for 45 minutes twice weekly for 12 weeks reduces depressive symptoms by 53% and anxiety symptoms by 48% when compared to baseline. This study was limited by a lack of comparator group.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Diabetes
A meta-analysis of preliminary clinical and observational research in patients with type 2 diabetes has found that aquatic exercise modestly increases the maximal oxygen uptake and reduces resting heart rate when compared with baseline and control groups receiving no intervention. However, a sub-analysis found that aquatic exercise is no more beneficial than land exercise.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Fall prevention
Preliminary clinical research in older adults at moderate to high risk of falls and a musculoskeletal disease shows that training in aquatic exercise for 45 minutes twice weekly for 16 weeks modestly improves fall risk awareness, balance, functional mobility, and upper and lower body strength and flexibility when compared with no exercise intervention.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Fibromyalgia
A small clinical study in women with fibromyalgia shows that stretching, relaxation, and aquatic exercise for 1 hour three times weekly for 3 weeks improves sleep but not quality of life compared to the same exercises on land.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Heart failure
Participating in aquatic exercise might improve physical ability outcomes in heart failure patients, although results are conflicting. Meta-analyses of two to three small clinical studies in patients with heart failure show that aquatic exercise modestly improves peak power and walking speed compared to land exercise or usual activity. However, another small clinical study in patients with grade II-III heart failure shows that aquatic exercise does not improve ventilation, blood pressure, or heart rate compared to exercises on land.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Hypertension
A meta-analysis of clinical research in patients with hypertension shows that aquatic exercise reduces systolic blood pressure by 13.4 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 4.6 mmHg when compared with no exercise. This analysis was limited by heterogeneity and inadequate control groups.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Insomnia
A small clinical trial in adults with sleep problems related to chronic musculoskeletal pain shows that aquatic exercise twice weekly for 6 weeks increases sleep time by about 28 minutes and modestly improves sleep efficiency, but has no overall effect on sleep quality, when compared with a control group receiving a health talk. Another small clinical trial in older adults with mild sleep impairment shows that aquatic exercise 60 minutes twice weekly for 8 weeks modestly improves sleep onset and efficiency, but does not affect total sleep time or wake time after sleep onset, when compared with a control group receiving no intervention.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Labor pain
Preliminary clinical research shows that aquatic exercise three times weekly, starting at 14-20 weeks' gestation, modestly reduces labor pain when compared with usual antenatal care. However, there was no difference between groups for use of epidural analgesia and type of delivery.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Lymphedema
A meta-analysis of two clinical trials shows that a specific aquatic exercise (Tidhar method) is not more effective for improving lymphedema in the short-term when compared with land-based standard care.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Multiple sclerosis (MS)
A meta-analysis of small preliminary clinical studies and individual preliminary clinical trials in patients with MS show that practicing aquatic exercise for 30-60 minutes usually two or three times weekly for 8-20 weeks improves walking and balance, as well as feelings of depression and cognitive and psychosocial outcomes when compared with usual care involving conventional physical therapy.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Multiple sclerosis-related fatigue
Meta-analyses of a small number of preliminary clinical trials show that aquatic exercise for 8 weeks modestly improves feelings of multiple sclerosis-related fatigue when compared with usual care, as well as when compared with other forms of exercise.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Muscle strength
A meta-analysis of clinical trials shows that aquatic exercise does not improve muscular strength or endurance in patients with musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, or others. It is possible that aquatic exercise does not provide enough resistance to result in muscular strengthening in these patients.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Pain (chronic)
A small clinical trial in patients with sleep problems related to chronic musculoskeletal pain in the back, knee, or shoulder shows that aquatic exercise twice weekly for 6 weeks modestly reduces pain when compared with a control group receiving a health talk.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Parkinson disease
A meta-analysis of preliminary clinical research in patients with Parkinson disease shows that aquatic exercise modestly improves balance, mobility, and quality of life when compared with land-based exercise or usual care. However, aquatic exercise is no more beneficial for functional performance than land-based exercise, and land-based exercise is modestly more beneficial for reducing fear of falling. Aquatic exercise regimens were generally 45-60 minutes in length and held 2-3 times weekly over 4-10 weeks. However, most individual studies included in the analysis were small and findings were heterogenous. Also, preliminary clinical research shows that practicing aquatic exercises for 60 minutes three times weekly for 4 weeks in addition to a standardized rehabilitation protocol called multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatment (MIRT) does not improve balance and mobility at the end of the 4-week period when compared with MIRT alone.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Postoperative pain
A small clinical study in adults undergoing total knee arthroplasty shows that participating in 10 sessions of aquatic therapy for two weeks, starting ten days after surgery, reduces postoperative pain and improves function when compared with baseline. However, it was similarly effective to land-based exercise and home exercise. This study is limited by improper randomization, with some patients choosing their preferred exercise.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Sarcopenia
A small clinical trial in females aged 70-82 years shows that participating in aquatic exercise 60 minutes three times weekly for 12 weeks improves maintenance of muscle mass, compared with reductions in muscle mass in those not training in aquatic exercise. There were also modest improvements in body fat, blood lipid profiles, and insulin resistance.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Spinal muscular atrophy
Preliminary clinical research shows that swimming in a heated pool for 30-45 minutes twice weekly for 2 years in addition to conventional physiotherapy improves quality of life compared to physiotherapy alone in children and adults with spinal muscular atrophy.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Stroke
Aquatic exercise might improve balance and mobility better than land-based exercise in patients recovering from stroke; however, not all research agrees. Meta-analyses of 2-9 clinical studies in post-stroke patients shows that aquatic exercise modestly improves balance on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), mobility on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, muscle strength, and/or some measures of function when compared with land-based exercise. Individual meta-analyses also suggest beneficial effects on aerobic capacity and functional reach, but not gait speed, when compared with land-based exercise. Some individual small studies in post-stroke patients did not show a difference between aquatic exercise and land-based exercise for improving balance on the BBS, mobility on the TUG test, and other outcomes. However, these individual studies were small and likely not adequately powered to detect a difference between groups.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
A very small clinical study in adults who experienced a TBI at least one year prior shows that performing aquatic exercises for 1 hour three times weekly for 8 weeks may improve quality of life and self-perception when compared with baseline. The validity of these findings is limited by the small study size and the lack of a comparator group.
Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.
Safety & precautions
Aquatic exercise is considered one of the safest forms of activity for most people because of its low impact. Still, some precautions apply.
Talk to your doctor before starting if you have heart disease, uncontrolled high or low blood pressure, lung conditions, seizures, or poor balance. Never swim alone, and choose a pool with a lifeguard or supervision if you are not a strong swimmer.
People with open wounds, certain skin infections, or weakened immune systems should check with a clinician, since shared pools can carry a risk of infection. Those with chlorine sensitivity or asthma triggered by pool chemicals should be cautious in indoor pools.
During pregnancy, water exercise is often comfortable and well tolerated, but you should get clearance from your prenatal provider first and avoid overheating in very warm pools. While breastfeeding, aquatic exercise is generally fine.
Side effects
Side effects are usually mild. They can include muscle soreness, fatigue, or minor cramps, especially when starting a new routine.
Other possible issues include skin or eye irritation from chlorine, swimmer's ear, and skin infections from poorly maintained pools. Slips and falls can happen on wet pool decks.
More serious risks are rare but include drowning, overheating in hot pools, and—in people with underlying heart or lung disease—shortness of breath or chest discomfort. Stop and seek help if you feel dizzy, faint, or have chest pain.
Aquatic Exercise: Reported Adverse Effects
Documented safety reports on Aquatic Exercise from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.
Aquatic exercise is generally well-tolerated when used appropriately, short-term. Aquatic exercise has been performed for up to 12 weeks without reports of serious adverse effects. Mild adverse effects including dizziness, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain have been reported, but these are uncommon.
- Adsett JA, Mudge AM, Morris N, Kuys S, Paratz JD. Aquatic exercise training and stable heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol. 2015;186:22-8.
- Bartels EM, Juhl CB, Christensen R, et al. Aquatic exercise for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;3:CD005523.
Fatigue Neurologic/CNS
Aquatic exercise has been rarely associated with dizziness and fatigue.
- Adsett JA, Mudge AM, Morris N, Kuys S, Paratz JD. Aquatic exercise training and stable heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol. 2015;186:22-8.
- Bartels EM, Juhl CB, Christensen R, et al. Aquatic exercise for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;3:CD005523.
Pain Musculoskeletal
Aquatic exercise has been rarely associated with new cases of mild musculoskeletal pain.
- Bartels EM, Juhl CB, Christensen R, et al. Aquatic exercise for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;3:CD005523.
- Peng MS, Wang R, Wang YZ, et al. Efficacy of therapeutic aquatic exercise vs physical therapy modalities for patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open 2022;5(1):e2142069.
Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center
Dosing
There is no single "dose" for aquatic exercise. General fitness guidelines suggest aiming for about 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, which can include water-based sessions, but your ideal amount depends on your health and goals.
Many programs run two to three sessions per week. If you are recovering from injury or have a chronic condition, a physical therapist or your doctor can help set a safe starting point and progress you gradually.
Start slowly, warm up, stay hydrated even in the water, and stop if you feel pain beyond normal muscle effort. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before beginning if you have any medical conditions.
Aquatic Exercise & Pregnancy
© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center
Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center
References & further reading
The 51 references that drive our Aquatic Exercise monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
- Sjogren, T., Long, N., Storay, I., and Smith, J. Group hydrotherapy versus group land-based treatment for chronic low back pain. Physiother Res Int 1997;2(4):212-222. PubMed
- Stener-Victorin, E., Kruse-Smidje, C., and Jung, K. Comparison between electro-acupuncture and hydrotherapy, both in combination with patient education and patient education alone, on the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. Clin J Pain 200 PubMed
- Foley, A., Halbert, J., Hewitt, T., and Crotty, M. Does hydrotherapy improve strength and physical function in patients with osteoarthritis--a randomised controlled trial comparing a gym based and a hydrotherapy based strengthening programme. Ann Rheum Di PubMed
- Eversden, L., Maggs, F., Nightingale, P., and Jobanputra, P. A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of hydrotherapy and land exercises on overall well being and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2007;8:23. PubMed
- Hall, J., Skevington, S. M., Maddison, P. J., and Chapman, K. A randomized and controlled trial of hydrotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Care Res 1996;9(3):206-215. PubMed
- Wadell, K., Sundelin, G., Henriksson-Larsen, K., and Lundgren, R. High intensity physical group training in water--an effective training modality for patients with COPD. Respir Med 2004;98(5):428-438. PubMed
- Vitorino, D. F., Carvalho, L. B., and Prado, G. F. Hydrotherapy and conventional physiotherapy improve total sleep time and quality of life of fibromyalgia patients: randomized clinical trial. Sleep Med 2006;7(3):293-296. PubMed
- Cider, A., Sunnerhagen, K. S., Schaufelberger, M., and Andersson, B. Cardiorespiratory effects of warm water immersion in elderly patients with chronic heart failure. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 2005;25(6):313-317. PubMed
- Rush, J., Burlock, S., Lambert, K., Loosley-Millman, M., Hutchison, B., and Enkin, M. The effects of whirlpools baths in labor: a randomized, controlled trial. Birth 1996;23(3):136-143.
- Cammu, H., Clasen, K., Van, Wettere L., and Derde, M. P. 'To bathe or not to bathe' during the first stage of labor. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1994;73(6):468-472. PubMed
- Eckert, K., Turnbull, D., and MacLennan, A. Immersion in water in the first stage of labor: a randomized controlled trial. Birth 2001;28(2):84-93. PubMed
- Eriksson, M., Mattsson, L. A., and Ladfors, L. Early or late bath during the first stage of labour: a randomised study of 200 women. Midwifery 1997;13(3):146-148. PubMed
- Lenstrup, C., Schantz, A., Berget, A., Feder, E., Roseno, H., and Hertel, J. Warm tub bath during delivery. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1987;66(8):709-712. PubMed
- Cunha, M. C., Oliveira, A. S., Labronici, R. H., and Gabbai, A. A. Spinal muscular atrophy type II (intermediary) and III (Kugelberg-Welander). Evolution of 50 patients with physiotherapy and hydrotherapy in a swimming pool. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 1996;54(3): PubMed
- Driver, S., Rees, K., O'Connor, J., and Lox, C. Aquatics, health-promoting self-care behaviours and adults with brain injuries. Brain Inj 2006;20(2):133-141. PubMed
- Fransen, M., Nairn, L., Winstanley, J., Lam, P., and Edmonds, J. Physical activity for osteoarthritis management: a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes. Arthritis Rheum 2007;57(3):407-414. PubMed
- Ravanelli N, Casasola W, English T, Edwards KM, Jay O. Heat stress and fetal risk. Environmental limits for exercise and passive heat stress during pregnancy: a systematic review with best evidence synthesis. Br J Sports Med. 2018;0:1-8. PubMed
- Milunsky A, Ulcickas M, Rothman KJ, et al. Maternal heat exposure and neural tube defects. JAMA. 1992;268(7):882-5. DOI
- [No authors listed]. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 650: physical activity and exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Obstet Gynecol 2015;126:e135-42. PubMed
- Adsett JA, Mudge AM, Morris N, Kuys S, Paratz JD. Aquatic exercise training and stable heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol. 2015;186:22-8. PubMed
- Bartels EM, Juhl CB, Christensen R, et al. Aquatic exercise for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;3:CD005523. PubMed
- Carroll LM, Volpe D, Morris ME, Saunders J, Clifford AM. Aquatic Exercise Therapy for People With Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017;98(4):631-638. PubMed
- Heywood S, McClelland J, Mentiplay B, Geigle P, Rahmann A, Clark R. Effectiveness of Aquatic Exercise in Improving Lower Limb Strength in Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017;98(1):173-186. PubMed
- Lai CJ, Liu WY, Yang TF, Chen CL, Wu CY, Chan RC. Pediatric aquatic therapy on motor function and enjoyment in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy of various motor severities. J Child Neurol. 2015;30(2):200-8. PubMed
- Neto MG, Conceição CS, de Jesus FL, Oliveira Carvalho V. Hydrotherapy on exercise capacity, muscle strength and quality of life in patients with heart failure: A meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol. 2015;198:216-9. PubMed
- Palamara G, Gotti F, Maestri R, et al. Land Plus Aquatic Therapy Versus Land-Based Rehabilitation Alone for the Treatment of Balance Dysfunction in Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Study With 6-Month Follow-Up. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017;98(6): PubMed
- Zhu Z, Cui L, Yin M, et al. Hydrotherapy vs. conventional land-based exercise for improving walking and balance after stroke: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2016;30(6):587-93. PubMed
- Aidar FJ, Gama de Matos D, de Souza RF, et al. Influence of aquatic exercises in physical condition in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2018;58(5):684-689. PubMed
- Dong R, Wu Y, Xu S, et al. Is aquatic exercise more effective than land-based exercise for knee osteoarthritis? Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(52):e13823. PubMed
- Felcar JM, Probst VS, de Carvalho DR, et al. Effects of exercise training in water and on land in patients with COPD: a randomised clinical trial. Physiotherapy. 2018;104(4):408-416. PubMed
- Igarashi Y, Nogami Y. The effect of regular aquatic exercise on blood pressure: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2018;25(2):190-199. PubMed
- Kargarfard M, Shariat A, Ingle L, Cleland JA, Kargarfard M. Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Impact of Aquatic Exercise Training on Functional Capacity, Balance, and Perceptions of Fatigue in Female Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. Arch Phys Me PubMed
- Saquetto MB, da Silva CM, Martinez BP, et al. Water-Based Exercise on Functioning and Quality of Life in Poststroke Persons: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2019;28(11):104341. PubMed
- Shi Z, Zhou H, Lu L, et al. Aquatic Exercises in the Treatment of Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis of Eight Studies. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2018;97(2):116-122. PubMed
- Silva LAD, Tortelli L, Motta J, et al. Effects of aquatic exercise on mental health, functional autonomy and oxidative stress in depressed elderly individuals: A randomized clinical trial. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2019;74:e322. PubMed
- Yeung W, Semciw AI. Aquatic Therapy for People with Lymphedema: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Lymphat Res Biol. 2018;16(1):9-19. PubMed
- Peng MS, Wang R, Wang YZ, et al. Efficacy of therapeutic aquatic exercise vs physical therapy modalities for patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open 2022;5(1):e2142069. PubMed
- Amedoro A, Berardi A, Conte A, et al. The effect of aquatic physical therapy on patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020;41:102022. PubMed
- Giuriati S, Servadio A, Temperoni G, Curcio A, Valente D, Galeoto G. The effect of aquatic physical therapy in patients with stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Top Stroke Rehabil 2021;28(1):19-32. PubMed
- Kim JH, Ha MS, Ha SM, Kim DY. Aquatic exercise positively affects physiological frailty among postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Healthcare (Basel) 2021;9(4):409. PubMed
- Lee CH, Kim IH. Aquatic exercise and land exercise treatments after total knee replacement arthroplasty in elderly women: A comparative study. Medicina (Kaunas) 2021;57(6):589. PubMed
- Gomes Neto M, Pontes SS, Almeida LO, da Silva CM, da Conceição Sena C, Saquetto MB. Effects of water-based exercise on functioning and quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil 2020;34(12):1425 PubMed
- Li D, Chen P. Effects of aquatic exercise and land-based exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness, motor function, balance, and functional independence in stroke patients-A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Brain Sci 2021;11(8):1097. PubMed
- So BCL, Kwok SC, Lee PH. Effect of aquatic exercise on sleep efficiency of adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. J Phys Act Health 2021;18(9):1037-1045. PubMed
- Zhu H, Jin J, Zhao G. Effect of aquatic exercise on cardiovascular fitness in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Kardiologiia 2021;61(9):52-60. PubMed
- Moreira NB, da Silva LP, Rodacki ALF. Aquatic exercise improves functional capacity, perceptual aspects, and quality of life in older adults with musculoskeletal disorders and risk of falling: A randomized controlled trial. Exp Gerontol 2020;142:111135. PubMed
- Carrascosa MDC, Navas A, Artigues C, et al. Effect of aerobic water exercise during pregnancy on epidural use and pain: A multi-centre, randomised, controlled trial. Midwifery 2021;103:103105. PubMed
- Abadi FH, Sankaravel M, Zainuddin FF, Elumalai G, Razli AI. The effect of aquatic exercise program on low-back pain disability in obese women. J Exerc Rehabil 2019;15(6):855-860. PubMed
- Chen Y, Xu S, Shen J, et al. Effect of exercise on fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients: A network meta-analysis. Int J Sports Med 2021;42(14):1250-1259. PubMed
- Carvalho RGS, Silva MF, Dias JM, et al. Effectiveness of additional deep-water running for disability, lumbar pain intensity, and functional capacity in patients with chronic low back pain: A randomised controlled trial with 3-month follow-up. Musculoskel
- Chen LJ, Fox KR, Ku PW, Chang YW. Effects of aquatic exercise on sleep in older adults with mild sleep impairment: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Behav Med. 2016;23(4):501-6. PubMed
This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.
Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Aquatic Exercise: Common Questions
What is Aquatic Exercise used for, and does it work?
Does Aquatic Exercise interact with prescription medications?
How are Aquatic Exercise interactions rated?
Is it safe to take Aquatic Exercise with my medications?
Where does this Aquatic Exercise interaction information come from?
Is Aquatic Exercise good for arthritis?
Do I need to know how to swim to do water exercise?
Is Aquatic Exercise safe during pregnancy?
How often should I do Aquatic Exercise?
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