15 days ago
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In this month's Prescription Arkansas report we learn how heading to the pool is a great way to deal with those aches and pains associated with age.
Benjamin Schwartz, 84, of Maumelle has been attending water aerobics classes at Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute in Little Rock for 17 years at the suggestion of his doctor.
"I had a sciatic nerve and I could barely get in and out of my car and he said this will be the best thing, over the long run to keep your health going," he says.
Eleanor Martin is the instructor. She says working in the water is great for seniors with problems like diabetes and arthritis.
She explains, "It really relieves the pressure of gravity on joints and on the pain and especially in pools like these, which we have pools that are kept at a very warm temperature so the cold doesn't hurt them either and it's excellent for them."
Eleanor leads the class through a range of motions that Ben says almost anyone can work up to.
"We move with arms, legs, stomach muscles, uh everything throughout the body, coordinated and various exercise programs and it's been very helpful to my health."
He says exercising in the water is more of a workout than it looks like.
"In the water the resistance, which the participant rarely notices, is making the exercise much more strenuous than he believes."
Both Eleanor and Ben think water aerobics is a great workout for anyone.
"I think it's a great supplement where you can work out on land three times a week, work out in the water twice a week or vice versa. It's excellent for all age groups and all fitness levels," explains Eleanor.
"It's just a total physical workout and it's done wonders for me," Ben says.
