Course overview

12 Ways to Progress any Aquatic Exercise or Activity

Available on demand | 3.0 contact hrs | On-demand recorded webinar + distance learning module.

Description: This course presents a comprehensive framework of twelve clinically applicable methods for progressing aquatic exercises and activities across pediatric and adult populations. Content focuses on how intentional manipulation of task demands, environment, movement variables, and cognitive load can be used to systematically increase or decrease challenge while maintaining therapeutic intent.

Participants will examine progression strategies that support strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and functional skill development within the aquatic environment. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, adaptability across diagnoses, and practical decision-making to ensure progressions remain safe, purposeful, and appropriate within skilled aquatic therapy practice.

To enroll 2+ learners, use "Buy Licenses' option below.

Format & Delivery

Format: Available on demand.

Recorded Webinar (2.5 hours) with Distance Learning Module (0.5 hours)

Total contact hours: 3.0 hours

Learning Objectives

Describe the 12 methods for progressing therapeutic activities, including modifications to feedback, task structure, developmental sequencing, and environmental demands.
Compare multiple progression strategies used in patient care, including dual-task integration, part-task training, regional approaches, and manipulation of the physical environment to alter task difficulty.
Analyze how changes in movement velocity and task conditions can be used to systematically increase or decrease challenge within functional therapeutic activities.

Additional Information about Course Content

Systematic Progression of Therapeutic Activities:

This course introduces clinicians to a structured framework for progressing any therapeutic activity using 12 clearly defined methods. Participants will examine how intentional changes to task demands—such as feedback, sequencing, environmental context, and motor complexity—can be used to advance or regress interventions while maintaining clinical intent and safety.

Clinical Reasoning Behind Progression Selection:

Rather than relying on arbitrary increases in difficulty, the course emphasizes comparing progression strategies based on patient presentation, goals, and performance. Clinicians will explore how dual-task integration, part-task practice, regional emphasis, and environmental manipulation influence motor learning, skill acquisition, and functional carryover in patient care.

Integration of Dual-Task and Part-Task Strategies:

Participants will learn how cognitive and motor dual-task demands can be layered into treatment without compromising movement quality. The course also addresses when part-task training is clinically appropriate, how it supports motor relearning, and how to transition patients back toward whole-task performance.

Use of Developmental Sequencing and Regional Approaches:

The course examines how developmental sequencing principles and regional movement strategies can be applied across patient populations—not just pediatrics—to improve efficiency, coordination, and task mastery. Emphasis is placed on recognizing movement prerequisites and building challenge in a logical, defensible manner.

Manipulation of Task Conditions to Alter Challenge:

Participants will analyze how changes in physical environment, task constraints, and movement velocity can systematically increase or decrease challenge. These strategies allow clinicians to fine-tune therapeutic intensity, promote adaptability, and prevent plateau without increasing risk or abandoning functional relevance.

Target Audience Statement

This course is designed primarily for professionals with a basic understanding of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Those likely to benefit most are: Physical therapist & assistants, Occupational therapists & assistants, Recreational therapist & assistants, Speech & language pathologist & assistants.

Students who are at the basic level of skill acquisition and those who are at a higher level of skill, but who are looking for a course that provides "best practice" ideas for techniques currently practiced are also welcome.

This course can be applied toward 3 elective hours for individuals who are seeking their ATU Aquaticist credential.

This course does not focus on evaluation or examination of the patient and the content is within the scope of practice for the Assistant working under the supervision of the PT or OT or RT or SLP. While the primary audience for the course is the PT/OT/RT/SLP provider, other rehabilitation providers will find it beneficial.

CEU/CCU Information

Andrea Salzman, MS, PT graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Masters degree in physical therapy. Salzman is the Founder and Owner of the Aquatic Resources Network, the largest multidisciplinary clearinghouse of information on aquatic therapy. She currently serves as Director of Aquatic Therapy University and has assisted hundreds of facilities during the start-up and training phases of their aquatic practice. Salzman has received the highest honor given to an aquatic physical therapist from the American Physical Therapy Association, the Judy Cirullo Leadership Award. She has been listed in Who's Who for Aquatics multiple times over the years. Over her career, she has served as:
• Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy
• Manager, Regions Hospital Therapy Pool
• Adjunct Faculty, College of St. Catherine’s PT program
• Functional Design Consultant; Aquatic Therapy Facilities
• ARN Database Creator, 19,000 aquatic professionals
• Aquatic Health Research Database (AHRD) Creator, 8000 abstracts and growing
• Author, 5 aquatic therapy-related texts
• Monthly columnist, Aquatics International, Advance for PTs, Onsite Fitness, AusMed and other trade magazines

Taylor Kozell is a Board-Certified Occupational Therapist who received her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Certified Neuro Specialist and is 2/3 of the way complete with her Aquaticist certification! Taylor has experience treating people across the lifespan at some of the top facilities in the country in the inpatient, outpatient and community based settings. When she’s not helping her patients with the things they love, you can find her spending time with her husband and their dog, Moose, exploring the outdoors or finding the best taco place.

Andrea Salzman, MS, PT

ATU Instructor

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