Aquatic Fitness Professional Manual

The Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) is a nonprofit educational organization committed to accessible and inclusive aquatic exercise for better health and wellness worldwide. Their top priority is providing access to the latest industry resources, research, products, training, and education to increase global health, wellness, and longevity through aquatic exercise. AEA works to increase awareness, education, and networking opportunities to benefit professionals as well as the general public. With AEA, achieving healthy lifestyles through aquatic fitness is a global team effort. AEA embraces cultural diversity in the industry to ensure that individuals worldwide can enjoy and employ the benefits of aquatics fitness programs regardless of age, ability, goals, or interests. AEA incorporated in 1984 to provide professionals with information and instruction on conducting water programs for consumers; the association served as a chamber of commerce for aquatic fitness. AEA is now an internationally recognized organization of aquatic fitness education for professionals conducting aquatic exercise programs. AEA has certified over 58,000 professionals in 48 countries, in 10 languages. They educate and train more than 15,000 people per year. Their Akwa magazine, the leading industry publication, is read by over 12,000 people annually.

AEA Mission Statement and Purpose

Part I. Foundations of Fitness and Exercise

Chapter 1. Physical Fitness
Physical Activity, Exercise, and Physical Fitness
Health-Related Components of Physical Fitness
Skill-Related Components of Physical Fitness
Guidelines for Exercise
Monitoring Intensity
Training Formats
Benefits of Regular Exercise
Importance of Nutrition

Chapter 2. Exercise Anatomy
Structural Organization of the Human Body
Systems of the Human Body
Skeletal System
Muscular System
Nervous System
Respiratory System
Cardiovascular System

Chapter 3. Exercise Physiology
Physiological Principles
Energy Metabolism
Skeletal Muscle Tissue
Acute Responses to Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise

Chapter 4. Movement Analysis
Anatomical Position
Anatomical Reference Terms
Posture, Alignment, and Balance
Planes of Movement
Joint Actions
Types of Joints
Joints Most Involved in Exercise Design
Interaction Between the Skeletal and Muscular Systems
Movement and Muscle Actions With Aquatic Exercise
Influence of Aquatic Equipment

Chapter 5. Exercise Motivation and Behavior
Foundations of Behavior Change
Motivating Participants for Sustained Change
Case Scenarios
Planning for Success

Part II. The Aquatic Environment

Chapter 6. Physical Laws as Applied to the Aquatic Environment
Motion
Water Immersion
Essential Properties of Water
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Additional Training Principles
Interaction and Application

Chapter 7. Pool Environment and Design
Water Temperature
Air Temperature and Humidity
Heat Dissipation in the Aquatic Environment
Water and Air Quality
Pool Considerations
Participant Considerations

Chapter 8. Safety and Risk Management
Risk Management and Standard of Care
Liability
Insurance
Emergency Procedures
Distress and Drowning
Sudden Illness
Injuries
Aquatic Environment Safety Concerns

Part III. Instruction and Programming

Chapter 9. Shallow-Water Exercise
Defining Shallow-Water Exercise
Shallow-Water Exercise Research and Application
Shallow-Water Base Moves
Impact Options for Shallow-Water Exercise
Shallow-Water Tempo Options
Posture and Alignment With Shallow-Water Exercise

Chapter 10. Deep-Water Exercise
Defining Deep-Water Exercise
Deep-Water Exercise Research and Application
Deep-Water Base Moves
Non-Impact Water Exercise
Deep-Water Tempo Options
Deep-Water Considerations
Participant Evaluation and Safety

Chapter 11. Aquatic Exercise Leadership
Form and Alignment
Cueing
Transitions
Choreography
Music
Music Use in Fitness
Safe and Effective Instruction
Professionalism
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Chapter 12. Aquatic Exercise Programming
Program Components
Aquatic Program Formats
Movements Requiring Greater Consideration

Chapter 13. Reaching Diverse Populations Through Aquatic Programming
Older Adults
Children and Adolescents
Pregnancy and Postpartum
Obesity
Musculoskeletal Considerations
Cardiovascular Disease
Pulmonary (Lung) Disease
Diabetes
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s Disease
Cerebral Palsy
Dementia
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cancer

Appendix A. Shallow-Water Exercise
Appendix B. Deep-Water Exercise
Appendix C. Aquatic Fitness Equipment
Appendix D. Answers to Chapter Review Questions