Hydrotherapy is a form of treatment or exercise instructed by an aquatic physiotherapist or qualified instructor, conducted in a heated pool.

In 2001, CQU postgraduate student Sandy Dalton commenced research in Health and Human Performance (HHP) focussing on developing new computer software that combines assessment and exercise prescription for people undergoing hydrotherapy.

While software that generates questionnaires designed to assess a client’s risk of participation in a land based exercise program exists, none of the current software programs include risk factors specifically targeting the risks associated with exercising in a heated swimming pool.

Ms Dalton said that for health and safety, information such as temperature sensitivity, fear of water, tinea, open wounds, and incontinence need to be asked and recorded for each client but current software does not include these types of questions.

While software programs that include a database of therapeutic exercises also exist, the choice of exercises specifically for water is again limited.

Ms Dalton has been running a small hydrotherapy business in Bundaberg for the past 15 years, and felt that her business could benefit from a computer software program for hydrotherapy.

Over the last decade, Ms Dalton has prepared a database of over 350 exercises, each with a picture, name and description.

Upon the completion of her research, Ms Dalton hopes to use the software in her hydrotherapy practice.

Ms Dalton also hopes there will be the potential for the commercial application of the software.

Once her research is completed, Ms Dalton will explore the opportunities for the commercial application of the assessment and exercise prescription software. ENDS For details call Sandy Dalton on 41-536-766 or email sdalton@bigpond.net.au .

- Contributed by Marion Thomson.