Aquatic Exercise Association

Intermediate
3.0 credit hours

Faculty: Mary Wykle, PhD, ATRIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The past twenty years have witnessed an increase in Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), anxiety, depression, and suicides with increased numbers in groups affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is known that since 9/11, three million service members have been deployed on varied missions and of those, one in three suffer from PTS, anxiety, and depression. Currently, twenty active-duty service members commit suicide each day – this does not consider veterans. In addition, the stress and depression among First Responders/Medical and school children has spiked a rise in suicide. Just recently, one high school in Texas had three students commit suicide in one week.

Primarily non-published studies show the importance of aquatic therapy or group exercise. Success in land therapy has been from group sessions in a camp-like environment and art. Yoga was expected to be a positive therapy but did not have results expected. At that point, a study approved by NIH and the military, assessed the therapy benefits of Ai Chi and Warm Water Bodywork. Results in reduction of anxiety, depression, and reduction of prescription medication were successful. Populations suffering from these identified challenges often face recovery from addiction and other injuries. Aquatic therapy can address the needs of these populations with appropriate programs.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1) Understand the broad groups of people affected by PTS, anxiety, and depression.
2) Review the statistics of the impact on groups from military, first responders/medical, families and children, and Covid-19.
3) Discuss various approved resources for help for the stress and anxiety experienced by these groups.
4) Compare the suicide rates and how aquatic therapy studies show improvement in reducing the rates.

FACULTY: Mary O. Wykle, PhD, ATRIC, presents for ATRI and AEA. Course development includes aquatic re-conditioning programs for the Army and USMC. Additional programs include Aqua Pi-Yo-Chi™, Core Stabilization and Safety Training. Aquatic recognitions include: AEA Global Award for Lifetime Achievement (2010); ISHOF Adapted Aquatics Award (2007); ATRI Aquatic Professional of the Year (2006); ATRI Tsunami Spirit Award (2004) and ATRI Dolphin Award (2002).