Watsu is a truly contemporary aquatic bodywork therapy. Watsu utilizes both static rotational stretches for the trunk and rhythmical, repeated trunk rotation by Rotating Accordion, Near and Far Leg Rotation. Objective: To find out the impact of Watsu therapy on flexibility. To compare the changes in upper and lower body flexibility after Watsu therapy. Tools and Methods: A group of twelve volunteer male subjects aged between 18 and 22 years studying at KFUPM, S.A. participated to our study. They underwent regular swimming workout more than a year. Only one watsu session was performed on the subjects. Trunk-neck and hip-trunk static flexiblity tests were used to measure the flexibility values. The measurements were initially taken before the watsu session and within 5 minutes after the watsu session. Mean, S.D. and t-test were computed using Statistica Software for analyzing the data. Findings: Sit&Reach test score was found to be statistically significant. Trunk&Neck test result was found not to be statistically significant. Mean and S.D from pre to post test were 28.83, 8.31 and 30.08, 8.55, 54.75, 12.65 and 55.33, 12.82 respectively. Conclusions and Assesments: The results of this preliminary study suggest that one watsu session can help improve flexibility. This findings support the effects including increased flexibility and relaxation noted by Watsu therapy receivers. Further studies using true experimental designs with larger sample sizes, and more sessions should be conducted in order to confirm these results.
© Copyright 2016 21st Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Vienna, 6. -9. July 2016. Published by University of Vienna. All rights reserved.