Courtesy of Bruce Becker, MD, MS and his Physiologic Effects of Immersion.

Dr. Bruce Becker has lived his professional life studying and researching, writing and promoting the effects of the water and aquatic activities on people with disabilities, athletes and people recovering from injuries and ailments.

He writes and explains the positive physiologic effects of immersion in water on his blog, Aquatic Doc:

Cardiac Benefits
* Lowers blood pressure
* Increases cardiac volume
* Increases stroke volume
* Increases cardiac output
* Improves ejection fraction
* Decreases peripheral vascular resistance
* Improves vascular compliance

Respiratory Benefits
* Increases intrathoracic blood volume
* Slightly decreases thoracic size
* Increases work of breathing
* Can work to strengthen muscles of respiration

Muscle and Bone Benefits
* Offloads bones and joints
* Increases muscle blood flow
* May increase bone blood flow
* May increase synovial fluid production

Kidney Benefits
* Increases renal blood flow
* Alters renal hormones
* Increases renal efficiency
* Promotes sodium excretion
* Increases diuresis

Neurologic Benefits
* Increases brain blood flow
* Promotes relaxation
* May improve balance
* May improve sleep patterns
* May positively impact brain function in dementia

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