Katie Eggleston DPT, physical therapist at the Pineville office of Child and Family Development, emphasizes that we can improve our health and build motor skills not just in a physical therapy session or gym, but in everyday events and activities already happening around the house.
In July, Katie has ideas about the backyard or neighborhood pool! Try these fun moves while taking a dip:
‚Ä¢ Pencil Jumps– Start standing up tall with arms overhead. Bring your arms down to your sides as you lower yourself into a squat underwater. Push yourself back up as you bring your arms back up overhead. Start in shallow and work your way up to deeper water.
‚Ä¢ Crunches– Place legs over the side of the pool so you are lying on your back in the water. Criss-cross arms over chest and sit up as far as you can. Complete up to 20 times.
‚Ä¢ Floating on back– Lift tummy up and keep it tight, with body as straight as you can go. Hold for as long as you can!
‚Ä¢ Duck Walks– In shallow end, walk on heels trying not to fall over!
‚Ä¢ Running– Play tag with other people or just race across the pool and back. The faster you try to go, the more the water will resist you, making this harder!
‚Ä¢ Twirling– In shallow or deep area (use flotation device in deeper areas), lay on your back and twirl around so that you are on your belly! Repeat in same direction 10 times and then switch directions.