AEA CERTIFICATION
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ Symmetrical exercises are easier to perform in deep water (T or F).
Answer: T Symmetrical exercises are easier to perform because both sides
of the body match.
◍ Asymmetrical moves are easier in deep water (T or F).
Answer: F. More challenging because the uneven placement of the limbs in
deep water often causes the trunk to shift away from vertical (i.e., Moguls).
◍ What is a transition?.
Answer: A change from one movement to another.
◍ Deep water reaction time is slower than shallow (T or F).
Answer: T - participant cannot push off the pool bottom and completely
suspended. Must be feasible to flow from one move to the next w/o any
additional leverage.
◍ What are the transitions in deep water?.
Answer: Basic Transition, Transitional Move and Tempo Transition.
◍ Transitional moves are mandatory in deep water (T or F).
Answer: F - you can flow from one move to the next holding the upper torso
stable while repositioning legs.
◍ You can use a half water tempo in deep-water (T or F).
Answer: T - a one-count return to center position (neutral postural
alignment) or a pause center can replace the bounce center.
,◍ Best way to increase Intensity in Deep-Water?.
Answer: Decrease the # of repetitions and change direction when traveling.
(i.e., qtr turns jog 8)
◍ The Law of Acceleration is primarily about speed of execution (T or F).
Answer: False - it's primarily about force. By putting more or less force into
a movement, the intensity of that exercise can be increased or decreased.
◍ How can you increase intensity in shallow water and in deep water..
Answer: In shallow - push against pool floor. In Deep water - push harder
against the water's resistance with arms and legs.
◍ What is Elevating Deep-Water move? What law does it apply to?.
Answer: The body lifts or "Pops" up in the water because the direction of
the force is downward. There is no pool floor to push off. This is law of
action/reaction.
◍ Law of Action/Reaction in the Deep? Describe how it works..
Answer: In deep water you must push back with the arms and legs to propel
forward.
◍ What should your hand shape be in deep-water?.
Answer: Scooping or pressing water to move. Slicing for less intensity and
cupping for more intensity.
◍ The most effective way to train a muscle is through full range of motion (T
or F).
Answer: T
◍ What is Drag?.
Answer: The force you feel that opposes your movement in water. You
experience drag with every movement.
◍ What are the various program formats for deep-water..
Answer: Traditional Aerobic, Interval Training, and Combo Deep &
Shallow Training.
◍ Describe Traditional Aerobic Deep-Water Training.
, Answer: 5-10 minute warm-up, 20-60 cardio training, an optional muscle
condition segment often targeting upper body and core muscles and a final
5-10 minute stretch.
◍ Describe Deep-Water Interval Training.
Answer: Interval training works well in deep water because of the build-up
of lactic acid. Interval training automatically incorporates recovery cycles to
facilitate lactic acid removal.
◍ As water depth increases, tempo of movement needs to __________.
Answer: decrease
◍ What is the recommendation for Deep Water cadence?.
Answer: 100-135 bpm
◍ Recommended Tempo for older adults.
Answer: 120-145 bpm used at half tempo
◍ What is the recommended pool temp for children.
Answer: 83-86 degrees
◍ It is important to keep ages 3-5 moving because of their short attention
spans (T or F)..
Answer: T. Good to introduce class, review rules, and quickly talk about
what you will do today.
◍ Which format is good for children ages 6-9 to use?.
Answer: Circuit format. They are motivated to go station to station
◍ When working with teens what should you consider..
Answer: Their physical, emotional, sexual, social, and mental maturity as
opposed to chronological age.
◍ Water temp for Pregnant women.
Answer: 83-85 degrees.
◍ What is the recommended tempo ranges for pregnant women?.
Answer: 125-150 BPM for shallow and 100 to 135 BPM in deep.
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ Symmetrical exercises are easier to perform in deep water (T or F).
Answer: T Symmetrical exercises are easier to perform because both sides
of the body match.
◍ Asymmetrical moves are easier in deep water (T or F).
Answer: F. More challenging because the uneven placement of the limbs in
deep water often causes the trunk to shift away from vertical (i.e., Moguls).
◍ What is a transition?.
Answer: A change from one movement to another.
◍ Deep water reaction time is slower than shallow (T or F).
Answer: T - participant cannot push off the pool bottom and completely
suspended. Must be feasible to flow from one move to the next w/o any
additional leverage.
◍ What are the transitions in deep water?.
Answer: Basic Transition, Transitional Move and Tempo Transition.
◍ Transitional moves are mandatory in deep water (T or F).
Answer: F - you can flow from one move to the next holding the upper torso
stable while repositioning legs.
◍ You can use a half water tempo in deep-water (T or F).
Answer: T - a one-count return to center position (neutral postural
alignment) or a pause center can replace the bounce center.
,◍ Best way to increase Intensity in Deep-Water?.
Answer: Decrease the # of repetitions and change direction when traveling.
(i.e., qtr turns jog 8)
◍ The Law of Acceleration is primarily about speed of execution (T or F).
Answer: False - it's primarily about force. By putting more or less force into
a movement, the intensity of that exercise can be increased or decreased.
◍ How can you increase intensity in shallow water and in deep water..
Answer: In shallow - push against pool floor. In Deep water - push harder
against the water's resistance with arms and legs.
◍ What is Elevating Deep-Water move? What law does it apply to?.
Answer: The body lifts or "Pops" up in the water because the direction of
the force is downward. There is no pool floor to push off. This is law of
action/reaction.
◍ Law of Action/Reaction in the Deep? Describe how it works..
Answer: In deep water you must push back with the arms and legs to propel
forward.
◍ What should your hand shape be in deep-water?.
Answer: Scooping or pressing water to move. Slicing for less intensity and
cupping for more intensity.
◍ The most effective way to train a muscle is through full range of motion (T
or F).
Answer: T
◍ What is Drag?.
Answer: The force you feel that opposes your movement in water. You
experience drag with every movement.
◍ What are the various program formats for deep-water..
Answer: Traditional Aerobic, Interval Training, and Combo Deep &
Shallow Training.
◍ Describe Traditional Aerobic Deep-Water Training.
, Answer: 5-10 minute warm-up, 20-60 cardio training, an optional muscle
condition segment often targeting upper body and core muscles and a final
5-10 minute stretch.
◍ Describe Deep-Water Interval Training.
Answer: Interval training works well in deep water because of the build-up
of lactic acid. Interval training automatically incorporates recovery cycles to
facilitate lactic acid removal.
◍ As water depth increases, tempo of movement needs to __________.
Answer: decrease
◍ What is the recommendation for Deep Water cadence?.
Answer: 100-135 bpm
◍ Recommended Tempo for older adults.
Answer: 120-145 bpm used at half tempo
◍ What is the recommended pool temp for children.
Answer: 83-86 degrees
◍ It is important to keep ages 3-5 moving because of their short attention
spans (T or F)..
Answer: T. Good to introduce class, review rules, and quickly talk about
what you will do today.
◍ Which format is good for children ages 6-9 to use?.
Answer: Circuit format. They are motivated to go station to station
◍ When working with teens what should you consider..
Answer: Their physical, emotional, sexual, social, and mental maturity as
opposed to chronological age.
◍ Water temp for Pregnant women.
Answer: 83-85 degrees.
◍ What is the recommended tempo ranges for pregnant women?.
Answer: 125-150 BPM for shallow and 100 to 135 BPM in deep.
