March / April / May 2023 | Akwa | 11 is the inclusion of assignments. These assignments are designed to reinforce the course materials and assist instruc- tors in applying the education to their programming. A member of the AEA Education Department reviews each assignment before approving it; review turnaround time is usually no more than 1-2 business days. Before moving on to the next module, all quizzes and assignments must be completed. What is Included in the Next Level Course? • Module One - Arthritis Overview – Review common types of arthritis and identify unique key points spe- cific to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporo- sis, and more. • Module Two - Aquatic Program- ming – Learn more about arthritis programming for the aquatic envi- ronment and how to safely progress the designated exercises, equip- ment recommendations, and proto- cols of the AEA AFAP and AFEP • Module Three - AFAP Exercise Update – Understand how to incorporate exercise modifications for various arthritis symptoms and learn additional exercises to bring into your programming. • Module Four - Lesson Plan Update – Learn how to update lesson plans that encourage a higher level of training with some general consid- erations. • Module Five - Professional Con- siderations – Review professional considerations to ensure instruc- tors can keep up with this dynamic and ever-changing industry. As with all AEA Online Ed programs a certificate of completion with CEC/ CEU details is provided after suc- cessfully completing the course. A helpful video for tracking your CEC/ CEUs online is even included! Truly a one-stop educational option that can be completed on your time schedule from wherever you prefer to learn. Still not sure if this course is for you? Here is some feedback from previous registrants. I have both a nursing background and a current PhD in Integrative Nutrition. As I have been asked to join the aquat- ics team as support staff at my current place of employment, I was required to take this course. I found the course well-constructed. Each segment builds on the former. I found the content enjoy- able to learn, both in its factual content and ease of learning presenta- tion. Even though I had prior knowl- edge of the physiology of arthritis I still learned a lot! The quality and inclu- siveness of your observations is just as important as your knowledge. I feel I have a better grasp on how to improve my teaching skills and the importance of my role as adjunct sup- port of the medical team. I learned to support class participants in a way that not only helps them make progress towards their goals of better living, but also keeps them engaged as interested participants. I highly recommend this course. – Very sincerely, Constance H, PhD The Arthritis & Aquatic Exercise course is very beautiful, rich, and exhaustive of what are the basic principles for teach- ing people with arthritis. I found it inter- esting that to continue with the course it is necessary to complete Assign- ments. In this way the student realizes if he is in the right direction and serves you to understand if the explanation of the concepts arrives clearly. – Dario M, Aquatic Fitness Professional, Italy We are so excited to continue bring- ing next level training programs to you and wish you all the best in your AEA Arthritis Foundation classes. Don’t forget, you are making a positive dif- ference in your community! AUTHOR Ashley Bishop started out as a professional dancer and choreographer in Canada, Mex- ico and with Carnival Cruise Lines. Now in Las Vegas, NV Ashley is an Aquatic Training Specialist & Education Manager for AEA, a Registered Ballet Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, and a continuing edu- cation provider for ACE, AFAA & AEA. Dual in the Pool By Kimberly Huff, MS Aquatic fitness professionals have been adding fun, creative challenges like counting in different languages or saying the alphabet backwards to classes for years. Combining exer- cises, like marching or jogging, while catching a ball has also been used to add an element of fun to class. Instructors recognized these activities could encourage participants to be more engaged in the class and make the exercises enjoyable. Recent research has shown that these additional challenges not only add fun to the exercises, but also provide fur- ther physiological benefit. Performing two tasks simultaneously, such as add- ing the numbers in a phone number while walking or standing in a tandem stance and turning the head side to side, challenges both physical ability (motor function) and cognitive ability. This type of training is called “dual task training.” Dual task training has been shown to result in greater improvements in both cognitive ability and motor function than other interventions performed individually. Performing appropri- ately designed cardiovascular, muscu- lar conditioning, flexibility, and bal- ance exercises will improve functional ability. Cardiovascular and resistance exercises have also been shown to improve cognitive function. Engaging in a variety of activities that challenge executive function and memory will improve cognitive ability. Research on dual task training shows that when a cognitive challenge is combined with a motor challenge (cognitive-mo- tor) or two motor challenges are com- bined (motor-motor) there are greater improvements in both motor and cognitive function, which results in greater improvements in measures of functional ability. This is significant considering that everyday life often involves perform- ing two or more tasks at the same time. The course is amazing, and I would love to take the next part. I am very happy to be part of this amazing aqua family!
