HydroWorx 1000® pool

The HydroWorx^® resistance pool at the Bon Secours Virginia Beach Medical Center is one of the few pools of its kind in Hampton Roads. Used by Bon Secours Physical Therapy for physical therapy and sports performance programs, the pool measures approx 12′ long by 6′ wide.

Sports Performance

For swimmers undergoing a swim stroke analysis, resistance is created by jets of water that can be adjusted so that the swimmer makes no forward progress. Swimming “against the tide,” allows for a close inspection of mechanics of the swimmer’s stroke.

The pool also holds a treadmill. When a runner enters the tank and runs on the underwater treadmill against water resistance, their stride can be evaluated. The variable speed treadmill also provides resistance for range of motion exercises and for stretching and therapeutic exercises.

Physical Therapy

The HydroWorx^® pool is also used to provide a buoyant medium for rehabilitation of a variety of conditions spanning from sports injuries and orthopedic rehabilitation to management of fibromyalgia and neuromuscular pain.

The weightlessness of the water reduces stress on joints and muscles, which allows rehabilitation to begin much sooner than on land. The buoyancy of the water also helps with balance, lumbar stabilization, and mobility. For those re-learning how to walk, the underwater treadmill facilitates gait training.