How Deep Should the Water Be for Different Aquatic Therapy Goals?
- Andrea Salzman
- Jan 15
- 1 min read
Discover how pool depth changes buoyancy, loading, and resistance in aquatic therapy. Includes depth-to-body-weight chart, gait training recommendations, and research-backed guidelines for every rehab goal.
Water Depth Isn’t a Mood — It’s a Dosage
When a patient steps into water, buoyancy reduces body weight in a perfectly predictable way. According to Harrison et al., 2013 and the Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy (AquaticPT.org), these are the approximate offloading percentages:
Water Level | Approximate % of Body Weight Supported | Approximate % of Weight Offloaded |
C7 (neck) | 10 % | 90 % |
Xiphoid (mid-chest) | 40 % | 60 % |
ASIS (hip level) | 60 % | 40 % |
Mid-thigh | 75 % | 25 % |