Aquatic Exercise Association

Advanced / 3.0 credit hours

(Classroom Viewing Time: 90 minutes / Pool Viewing Time: 90 minutes)

Faculty: Beth Scalone, PT, DPT, OCS, ATRIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Balance is essentially motor control, meaning we have to be able to maintain our center of gravity over our base of support in not just static positions but as we move about. There are several body systems that contribute to balance and motor control. Lecture will focus on the various systems that influence balance to assist the aquatic therapist in developing an efficient and successful aquatic exercise program based on which systems are involved in a client’s balance and mobility issues. Current aquatic therapy research is summarized with clinical significance reviewed to allow the aquatic therapist to make evidence-based clinical decisions.

The pool lab portion of the course will present various aquatic balance activities/protocols and progressions for functional mobility, based on the individual body systems related to balance. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Describe the different body systems that influence balance. 
2. List common impairments and mobility challenges related to each body system influencing motor control. 
3. Apply current research into clinical decision-making process in respect to aquatic exercise and individuals with balance impairments and functional limitations. 
4. Instruct, cue and progress a specific aquatic exercise program to address individual balance and functional mobility impairments. 

FACULTY: Beth Scalone, PT, DPT, OCS, ATRIC, is a licensed physical therapist with many years of experience in orthopedic and aquatic therapy. As the owner of North County Water and Sports Therapy Center in San Diego (www.waterpt.com), she continues with hands-on clinical care in addition to her role as educator. Since graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1991, Beth has belonged to the American Physical Therapy Association and has achieved certification as a Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. In January 2006, she graduated from Boston University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Additional certifications include Certified STOTT Pilates™ instructor and Master Instructor for the Burdenko Method. 

Beth not only provides continuing education for health care professionals, she is an adjunct faculty in the San Diego Mesa College PTA program, teaching Orthopedic Rehabilitation and Introduction to Pathology courses. She also provides the learning module/instruction on aquatic therapy to the University of St. Augustine San Diego Campus DPT program. She is the recipient of the 2010 ATRI Tsunami Spirit Award and the 2012 ATRI Professional Award.