A group of inherited muscle diseases, muscular dystrophy places a body's muscle fibers at an increased risk for damage and degeneration. There are several different versions of muscular dystrophy, and each version is different in terms of disease progression, exact symptoms and age of onset. Since the disease affects your body's muscles, regular exercise can be difficult. However, water aerobics can provide a safe and affective exercise for muscular dystrophy.
Symptoms
Muscular dystrophy causes progressive weakening of your body's muscles. Fat tissue and connective tissues slowly begin replacing muscle fibers. Naturally, this results in extremely weak muscles in the affected limbs. Other symptoms include delayed muscle relaxation, baldness and difficulty breathing. As the weakness progresses, loss of coordination and contractures often occur. In the late stages of muscular dystrophy, the body often becomes so crippled with weakness that movement is difficult. Muscular dystrophy might also weaken your organ muscles, including your heart.
Benefits of Exercise
Although exercise might be difficult with muscular dystrophy, it is strongly recommended for those who can handle physical activity. According to the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, exercise can slow the disease's progression by strengthening muscles. Regular exercise should allow you to maintain mobility and independence for a longer period. Exercise and physical therapy usually focuses on strengthening the muscles required for your activities of daily living, such as climbing stairs and grasping objects.
Water Aerobics
Water aerobics is a specific form of hydrotherapy, or aquatic therapy. Performed in a deep tub or swimming pool, hydrotherapy allows you to make a wider range of movements than your could make on the ground. Water provides buoyancy, which decreases the stress placed on your body's joints, bones and muscles. Water also provides multidirectional resistance for your body to work against. Although these two factors are beneficial for any person who exercises in the water, they are particularly beneficial for those with muscular dystrophy. Since your body's weak muscles are not subjected to significant amounts of stress in water, you may be able to complete a water aerobics exercise session easily.
Considerations
As with any medical condition, consult a physician before attempting water aerobics. Once you get approval from your doctor, water aerobics should be performed only under the supervision of a trained instructor or physical therapist. Since muscular dystrophy often causes muscles to become weak and coordination to diminish, always wear flotation devices in the water.
