How does the viscosity of water effect muscle contraction and exercise in the water?
Answer
Viscosity is the thickness of the water. The thickness of the water changes our muscle contraction. It elicits drag resistance. If I am doing an arm curl (bringing my fingertips up to touch my shoulder, flexing my elbow )and then straightening/extending and I am doing this on land, I am going to just be working my biceps. I am working my biceps concentrically and eccentrically. I work it as it shortens and I work at as it lengthens or as it fights gravity, overcomes gravity or resists gravity. In the aquatic environment, we are no longer dealing with gravitational pull, depending on depth. Let's say we are submerged and therefore we are no longer dealing with gravitational pull. Now we have to deal with the thickness of the water. If I am doing that simple arm curl, flexion and extension of the elbow, as I flex my elbow, I am working my biceps concentrically, because that is the muscle that has to overcome the thickness of the water, and as I extend my arm as I go into extension on my elbow, I am working my triceps concentrically, because now I have to push against the water in the opposite direction.
Lori Sherlock, Ed.D, MS, ATRIC, AEA Fitness Specialist, CSCS
Lori Sherlock is a long-time supporter and educator in the field of aquatics. She has been involved with various elements of the aquatic industry since the late 90’s including therapy and rehab, exercise and personal training, in addition to management and pool operation. As an Associate Professor in the School of Medicine within the Division of Exercise Physiology at West Virginia University, Dr. Sherlock has the opportunity to educate and train students through the Aquatic Therapy Emphasis. Her extensive training in the field along with her ample certifications allows for the Aquatic Emphasis to cover the continuum of care within both the exercise and rehab settings while including pool operator certification and managerial guidelines. Mrs. Sherlock has been involved with the Aquatic Exercise Association, Arthritis Foundation, Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute, as well as the National Swimming Pool Foundation for a number of years as a contributing speaker, author, and researcher.
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