Aquatic Exercise Association

Course Developed by Tinoca Senra, MS, & Renata Tarevnic, PhD
Contributing Author and Editor Julie See, AEA Director of Education

Diabetes mellitus, simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of diseases that affect how the body utilizes glucose.  According to the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), 463 million adults (20-79 years of age) were diagnosed with diabetes in 2019 – this number was predicted to increase by over 50% by 2045!  

 The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that lifestyle measures (including physical activity) have been shown to be effective in preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.   This course will assist you in better understanding this disease and how to better guide your students and clients in safe and effective exercise.  

 In this course, you will:

• Discusses the types of diabetes (prediabetes, type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes), key facts & figures, signs & symptoms, causes, and risk factors.  
• Learn more about exercise guidelines and the benefits of exercise for this population, including the body’s response to aquatic exercise.  
• Consider how exercise may increase the risk for hypoglycemia and how to offset these risks for your clients and class participants.
•  Explore diabetic neuropathy, specifically peripheral neuropathy, including proprioception exercises for the feet to include in the pool.  
• Understand key recommendations for participants exercising in the water and dive deeper into aquatic program design.  

 Course content also includes 4 video segments to assist with aquatic programming ideas and a 20-question quiz to test your understanding of the materials.

 Courses materials developed for AEA by:

Cristina Senra (Tinoca), MS, is an AEA Training Specialist, Ai Chi Trainer and Star 2 International Trainer for Anti-Gravity. Owner and CEO of Mundo Hidro, she has received Portugal’s Instructor of the Year (2002), AEA’s Aquatic Fitness Professional (2005), Career Achievement Award (2012) and Top 10 IAFC instructor (2019).

Renata Tarevnic, PhD, is a teacher at the Federal University Rio de Janeiro.  She holds a master’s in physical education and a PhD in experimental and human biology.  She is a trainer for Mundo Hidro; author of fitness DVDs and books (including the Aquatic Fitness Manual for Pregnant Women); exercise instructor for pregnancy and post-partum; and Top 10 IAFC instructor (2019).

Julie See, AEA’s Director of Education, shares 30+ years of experience in the fitness industry.