Course Details

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Monday 20th May 2013, 9:00am – 5:00pm

This is an innovative and dynamic module of study that is currently not being offered at any other University in the UK. It was created in response to the Government's agenda for managing maternal obesity and for promoting childbirth normality.  The module brings together professional knowledge about diet and exercise and links this to the scientific evidence relating to the benefits of water based exercise in pregnancy. 

Water is a powerful medium which can be both a relaxant and an invigorator and its properties, buoyancy and Hydro-static pressure are examined to highlight their benefits for pregnant mothers. The course is endorsed by the UK Register of Exercise Professionals and successful completion leads to certification as a Aquanatal coach.  Practitioners can then offer their own sessions of Aquanatal either as part of their formal working roles with the support of their manager's or they can work as freelance coaches for community pool providers. Students are assessed on the final day by a 45 minute multiple choice paper and a 15 minute practical pool based demonstration to course peers. An external examiner formally evaluates the module.

There is a plethora of scientific evidence to support the use of water based exercise in pregnancy and its benefits are both physiological, social, emotional and educational. The course leader has published a handbook for health and leisure industry professionals and she herself is an advanced specialist Aquanatal coach with the R.E.P. and a freelance instructor. She is currently regarded as an expert in the field and regularly presents on the benefits of water based exercise.

"To equip the practitioner with the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively plan, implement and evaluate programmes of Aquanatal exercise in the community setting."

Learning Outcomes

• To review the physiological adaptations to pregnancy and childbirth.
• To analyse how muscles, bones and joints work in the water.
• To examine the properties of water.
• To discuss what is meant by a nutritionally balanced diet during pregnancy and the energy requirements for physical exercise during the child birthing continuum.
• To critically explore and practically demonstrate safe and effective exercises for use in the pool.
• To critically analyse the pelvic floor and urinary incontinence issues.
• To critically explore professional issues such as health and safety and the law.

Additional to the learning outcomes, topics covered include:

• The use of music
• Choreography
• Marketing your sessions
• Emergency pool response
• Public health and the needs of women

Tutors

• Sue Baines
• Jeanne Lythgoe
• Dr Anna Robins
• Dr Brenda Ashcroft

Target Audience 

• Qualified Midwives
• Qualified Nurses
• Qualified Health Visitors
• Qualified Physiotherapists
• Leisure industry personel - swimming instructors, personal trainers (with their National qualifications such as RAP or ASA)