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Aquafit

Open Door - August 2004 pages 6-7

by Ellie Hollingsworth

I often wonder how many people with MS miss out on beneficial and enjoyable exercise simply because they do not know how much easier it is in water than on dry land. I was one of them until last year.

After a quite bad relapse, the physio at the neurological hospital suggested that I ask my GP to refer me to the TERMS (The Exercise Referral in Mid Sussex) Scheme. I had no idea what this was, but she told me it was a joint enterprise between Primary Health Care and Leisure Services that offers exercise on prescription. It is run at the local Leisure Centre for patients who have physical disabilities of practically any kind. I agreed, and was duly sent to a fitness advisor at the Centre, who measured my height, weight, blood pressure and Body Fat Index. I then had to do quite a long session, very slowly, on the bike. Doing it very slowly is harder than faster.

The advisor then went through the various options available and said that with my medical history and if I did not mind the water, he thought Aquafit would be the best thing to start with. It seemed a good opportunity. I have always been very fond of the water, although I am no longer a strong swimmer and tend to save it for holidays. I had to agree to go twice a week for ten weeks. I was assessed half way through the course and again at the end, and a report sent to my GP. The cost was £50, which was a considerable saving on individual classes.

The classes are run by a neuro physio and the group is made up of people with all manner of conditions including post-operative troubles, heart conditions, obesity, back problems and arthritis. There are two of us with MS. The whole session is done to music, which makes it enjoyable. The classes I attend consist mainly of ladies, but there are two men, who have to put up with a lot of leg pulling.

The routine is different most weeks but the instruction is always the same “only do what you find comfortable, and if it hurts, STOP.”

The class usually starts with some gentle stretches, then a slow jog on the spot, then faster for a few minutes building up to RATHER FAST! I had no idea how many exercises one could do in the water. Some are easy and relaxing, and some quite hard, but because the water supports you all the time it feels easier. On dry land, I would be very hard put to stand on one leg, holding the foot in one hand and with the other hand up in the air, as in yoga, but in the water I can do it. We do jumps, hopping and lot of upper body work with solid rubber dumbbells. You are working against the resistance of the water all the time. One very interesting exercise is sitting astride a woggle, hands in the air, trying to peddle backwards round the pool. When I could do that I felt I had arrived!

Quite a number of movements are aimed at coordination. Our instructor says that these can retrain brain messages along new pathways. An example would be in armpit high water doing breaststroke with arms and scissor movement with legs, on the spot. The aim is to touch the pool bottom with each movement without floating off. If you float away, you are too deep or you have let your abdominal muscles relax. The work revolves round keeping the tummy in. This does a great deal for balance, as in Pilates. And having learnt the control in water, you find you can do it on dry land.

The exercises are many and varied, sometimes involving games that end up in a great deal of laughter. The class lasts for 45-50 minutes and ends with some more stretches to cool down.

I feel that most people with MS, providing that they do not dislike the water, would feel the benefit of Aquafit. Everyone has some medical problem or other or they would not be in the class. Some people feel embarrassed wearing a swimming costume if they have a disability, but there is no need. You are, after all, in the water all the time, and the only people watching are the instructor and a lifeguard, who is there all the time.

I must mention one lady, who fills me with admiration. I think she has a heart problem and cannot walk. She is brought up to the edge of the pool in her wheelchair by a member of staff, manages to tip herself into the water, and joins in the class with gusto. She is then helped out and wheeled back to the changing room, having thoroughly enjoyed herself.

I hope this will encourage those who have not considered Aquafit, to give it a try if it is available in their area. There are many benefits to be had. You get a workout that most of us cannot do on dry land. Muscle tone is built up, balance is improved greatly and the cardiovascular system is improved. You feel more confident in the water, even if you are not a swimmer. You get the feel good factor which one gets after exercise. Perhaps, most of all, it is great fun and you get to go out and meet others.

When I finished the course I decided to join the club, which allows me to take advantage of not only the Aquafit, but also other facilities at the Centre, including the gym, where an easy routine has been worked out for me. I feel that joining is one of the best decisions I have made since I developed MS. I do hope that others will be tempted to try it as it can make a great deal of difference to the quality of your life.

Exercise on prescription schemes (names may vary in different areas) are in place in many local authorities around the country. For local details, contact your GP.

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