Physical activity in spas – the key to prevention and health promotion
Authors:
Marek Maráček
Authors‘ workplace:
Horské lázně Karlova Studánka, S. P., Karlova Studánka
; Fakulta tělesné kultury UP v Olomouci
; Institut lázeňství a balneologie, v. v. i., Karlovy Vary
Published in:
Čas. Lék. čes. 2024; 163: 314-316
Category:
Review Article
Overview
At present, the spa industry is not only an effective tool for treatment but also for the prevention of lifestyle diseases, which underlines the importance of movement therapies in the natural environment. Studies confirm that regular physical activity reduces the risk of many diseases, improves physical and mental health, and strengthens the body’s adaptive abilities. An analysis of different forms of movement therapy, such as therapeutic physical education, hydrotherapy, and field treatments, shows their benefits for patients.
A comprehensive overview of the physiological and therapeutic benefits of physical activity in the spa industry emphasizes its role in the prevention of lifestyle diseases. Research shows that spa programs focused on exercise can improve quality of life, promote mental well-being, and contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases. With the increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases, it is important to integrate physical activities into spa care, which has the potential for long-term improvement of patients’ health.
Keywords:
spa treatment, physical activity in the spa industry, prevention of chronic diseases, therapeutic physical education, hydrotherapy, field treatments, Nordic walking, monitoring in spa care, trends in spa and balneology
Sources
- Booth FW, Roberts CK, Laye MJ. Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases. Compr Physiol 2012; 2: 1143–1211.
- Marquez DX, Aguiñaga S, Vásquez PM et al. A systematic review of physical activity and quality of life and well-being. Translational behavioral medicine 2020; 10: 1098–1109.
- Lee IM, Shiroma EJ, Lobelo F et al. Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: An analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy. Lancet 2012; 380: 219–229.
- Warburton DE, Bredin SS. Health benefits of physical activity: a strengths-based approach. J Clin Med 2019; 8: 2044.
- Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Richards J et al. Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis adjusting for publication bias. J Psychiatr Res 2016; 77: 42–51.
- Stubbs B, Koyanagi A, Hallgren M et al. Physical activity and anxiety: a perspective from the World Health Survey. J Affect Dis 2017; 208: 545–552.
- Yang B, Qin QZ, Han LL et al. Spa therapy (balneotherapy) relieves mental stress, sleep disorder, and general health problems in sub-healthy people. Int J Biometeorol 2018; 62: 261–272.
- Jandová D. Balneologie. Grada Publishing, Praha, 2009.
- Van Tubergen A, Landewé R, Van Der Heijde D et al. Combined spa–exercise therapy is effective in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum 2001; 45: 430–438.
- Bement MKH, Sluka KA. Exercise-induced hypoalgesia: an evidence-based review. J Pain Res 2016; 8: 837-847.
- Kisner C, Colby LA, Borstad J. Therapeutic exercise: foundations and techniques. Davis Company, Philadelphia, 2017.
- Sherrington C, Fairhall NJ, Wallbank GK et al. Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community: an abridged Cochrane systematic review. Brit J Sports Med 2019; 53: 905–911.
- Hall J, Skevington SM, Maddison PJ et al. A randomized and controlled trial of hydrotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2019; 19: 22–30.
- Bender T, Karagülle Z, Bálint GP et al. Hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa treatment in pain management. Rheumatol Int 2005; 25: 220–224.
- Hinman RS, Heywood SE, Day AR. Aquatic physical therapy for hip and knee osteoarthritis: results of a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Phys The. 2007; 87: 32–43.
- Jackson M, Kang M, Furness J et al. Aquatic exercise and mental health: A scoping review. Complement Ther Med 2022; 66: 102820.
- Tang Z, Wang Y, Liu J et al. Effects of aquatic exercise on mood and anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychiatr 2022; 13: 1051551.
- Huseynli A. Pohyb v lesním prostředí jako součást lázeňské léčby. In: Švamberk Šauerová M. (ed.). Pohyb a prožitek v multioborovém pojetí. Vysoká škola tělesné výchovy a sportu PALESTRA, Praha, 2021.
- Barton J, Pretty J. What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis. Environ Sci Technol 2010; 44: 3947–3955.
- Jimenez MP, DeVille NV, Elliott EG et al. Associations between nature exposure and health: a review of the evidence. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18: 4790.
- Nejade RM, Grace D, Bowman LR. What is the impact of nature on human health? A scoping review of the literature. J Glob Health 2022; 12.
- Pérez-Soriano P, Encarnación-Martínez A, Aparicio-Aparicio I et al. Nordic walking: a systematic review. Eur J Hum Movement 2014; 33: 26–45.
- Tschentscher M, Niederseer D, Niebauer J. Health benefits of Nordic walking: A systematic review. Am J Prev Med 2013; 44: 76–84.
- Ringeval M, Wagner G, Denford J et al. Fitbit-based interventions for healthy lifestyle outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Med Internet Res 2022; 10: 23954.
- Brown WJ, Bauman AE, Bull FC et al. Development of evidence-based physical activity recommendations for adults (18–64 years). Sports Med 2020; 51: 145–169.
- Špišák L. Manuál lázeňské léčebně-rehabilitační péče, obecné principy a speciální přístupy dle indikací. Institut lázeňství a balneologie, Karlovy Vary, 2020.
- Huseynli A, Špišák L. Úloha lázeňské péče v prevenci duševního zdraví. Florence 2022; 6: 8.
Labels
Addictology Allergology and clinical immunology Angiology Audiology Clinical biochemistry Dermatology & STDs Paediatric gastroenterology Paediatric surgery Paediatric cardiology Paediatric neurology Paediatric ENT Paediatric psychiatry Paediatric rheumatology Diabetology Pharmacy Vascular surgery Pain management Dental HygienistArticle was published in
Journal of Czech Physicians

Most read in this issue
- My patient is taking a statin and is scheduled for surgery
- The decision-making on cost-inefficient care
- Harm reduction and tobacco smoking
- Efficiency of health care in the Czech Republic in international comparison 2010–2021