In order to increase resistance while performing aquatic therapy, which is the BEST way to move the extremity?

• A. Rapidly upward toward the surface of the water
• B. Slowly upward toward the surface of the water
• C. Slowly downward away from the surface of the water
• D. Rapidly downward away from the surface of the water

Answer: (D)

In aquatic therapy, the resistance you feel through the water mainly comes from drag, which increases with the speed of the limb moving through the water. The faster you move, the more drag is generated, regardless of direction. Moving rapidly downward away from the surface benefits from gravity assisting the acceleration, so you can achieve a higher velocity in the water. Moving upward toward the surface, buoyancy opposes that motion, making it harder to accelerate to high speeds, which tends to reduce the resulting drag. So, a rapid downward movement away from the surface produces the greatest water resistance.