An aquatherapeutic program focuses on gentle water exercises, which are geared towards the rehabilitation of a joint or muscle after injury or surgery. The main benefit of such an activity is keeping you active while you recover from the injury or while managing a serious condition. This program builds the weak musculature and improves the efficiency of your heart and lungs, without compromising the injured body part.
Aquafitness on the other hand is the next step after land or aquatic rehabilitation. The pace and intensity of an aqua fitness program can be higher than its therapeutic counterpart, ranging from moderate to advanced, however it can still be modified to suit the needs of the participant. The different movements such as jogging, cycling and cross-country skiing will usually be progressed from the modified, gentler versions to the more challenging ones. Also, there would be more resistance applied in the muscle strengthening exercises.