Aquatic Therapy for the Female Athlete
Presented by Kim Gordon
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The number of female athletes continues to grow and so has the injuries to the female athlete. Unfortunately, we have seen injuries that are more prevalent in the female athlete population. These include a higher risk of ACL tears, stress fractures, patellofemoral pain, and ITB pain. A rationale for aquatic therapy for the female athlete is that it allows the athlete to train using a similar movement pattern to that found on land without incurring the impact forces, and thus significantly reducing the repetitive loading of the musculoskeletal system. This course is appropriate for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and athletic trainers that work with the female athlete, both in the rehabilitation setting and training setting.
Meet your instructor
Kim Gordon
Kimberly Gordon, MPT, graduated from Mayo Clinic's School of Health Related Sciences with her Master's degree in Physical Therapy. She began practicing in an outpatient sports medicine clinic in Sarasota, FL, where her caseload consisted of orthopedic and post-surgical clients, including older adults with torn knee and ankle…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Common Injuries
Unfortunately, certain injuries are more prevalent in female athletes. It is important that therapists and trainers have a good understanding of common injuries and how to prevent them in this client group. This chapter will cover common injuries to the female athlete.
2. Aquatic Therapy as the Treatment of Choice
Water brings unique properties to the female athlete’s treatment. It is important that the therapist and trainer understand these properties and be able to explain why this is the treatment of choice. This chapter will review the properties of water and why they create the perfect environment for the female athlete’s treatment.
3. Sample Treatment Session
This chapter will review a typical treatment session, including a warm-up phase, injury/sport-specific treatment ideas, and a cool-down phase. The goal of this chapter is for the therapist to feel confident with a treatment program for their female athlete.
4. Modified PEP Program
The PEP program is a research-based training program that has been proven to be effective in preventing injuries. This program can be modified to be done in the aquatic environment. This chapter will take the principles of the PEP program and demonstrate modifications to perform this in the aquatic environment. It will also review a typical treatment session, including a warm-up phase, injury/sport-specific treatment ideas, and a cool-down phase. The goal of this chapter is that the therapist feels confident with a treatment program for their female athlete.
