From above water at the University of Manitoba pool, it looks like a regular swim night. But below the surface, a dozen underwater football players tackle and paddle their way across the pool chasing a weighted ball.

“I can’t walk on one foot,” says Keith Peters, the chair of underwater football at the University of Manitoba. “But this is a non-weight-bearing sport, which makes all the difference.”

For athletes with chronic pain or joint issues, exercising underwater can increase strength and muscle mass – even more than exercising on land, according to a research study from Texas University.

As well, underwater therapy is beneficial for your pet with low-impact on bones and joints, according to Water4Dogs Canine Rehabilitation Centre.

These workouts for cats, dogs and even horses help improve range of motion and boost endurance of aging pets.

Underwater exercise increases heart rate and influences blood pressure in dogs, according to the UC Davis School of Veterinary medicine.

“Looking at [my dog’s] eyes after swimming and seeing them shine, that’s part of the reason I come here,” says Kristine Eisthen, who takes her lab-mix, Diablo, to Pawsh Dog Wellness Centre for swimming.

The Wellness Centre is the first in Canada to offer state of the art hydrotherapy specifically for dogs.

“Diablo is ten now,” says Eisthen. “I just want to keep her healthy and happy as long as possible.”