Hydrotherapy - classic advice for weight loss

Most people who want to lose weight are advised to exercise in a pool. Why is water exercise the secret?

Obese people will feel more comfortable moving in the water - Photo: QUANG THINH

What is hydrotherapy?

"Generally, all obese people need hydrotherapy," says Gayle Olson, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital.

What is hydrotherapy? In short, it is the use of water in various forms - such as soaking, spraying, spraying, bathing, hot/cold compresses - to treat or support the improvement of physical and mental health.

The four most common forms of hydrotherapy are:

- Soak in warm or cold water.

- Hot and cold shower spray alternately.

- Water exercise.

- Jacuzzi bath / mineral bath / steam bath.

There is some evidence that hydrotherapy can help with weight loss. A 2017 study at Loughborough University in the UK found that soaking in a hot tub for an hour can burn about 130 calories – the same as walking for 30 minutes.

Why should you exercise underwater?

Among the forms of hydrotherapy, water exercise is considered the most effective exercise method for weight loss.

Even people who weigh over 150kg can only exercise underwater in the initial stages.

Swimming pool is an indispensable place in the weight loss exercise schedule - Photo: DOCUMENT

Doctor Vo Chau Duyen, head of the trauma and orthopedics department at Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, explains:

"Exercising in water is a way to take advantage of the water environment to reduce pressure on joints and spine. Water creates buoyancy, helping to reduce up to 80% of body weight when standing in chest-level water, reducing pressure on joints and spine.

This is especially helpful for people who are obese or have joint problems, making it easier and safer for them to move around."

In addition, Dr. Olson also said the reasons why people who want to lose weight need to exercise in water are:

- Increase calorie burning thanks to water resistance: When exercising in water, the body must resist the water resistance, helping to increase calorie burning and improve muscle strength.

- Improved body composition and fat loss: One study found that after 12 weeks of water aerobics, participants reduced body fat and hip circumference, while improving leg muscle strength.

- Improve cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure: Aquatic exercise can help reduce systolic blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health, especially when performed in warm water.

- Improved breathing: Hydrostatic pressure helps the lungs work more actively. When you are submerged in water (especially from chest level up), the water creates a gentle compressive force on the chest wall and abdomen.

This force makes you have to “try harder” to inhale, thereby making the lungs and respiratory muscles (diaphragm, intercostal muscles) work harder, leading to increased respiratory strength.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thuy-lieu-phap-loi-khuyen-kinh-dien-danh-cho-nguoi-giam-beo-2025050522074935.htm