One of the high school coaches in our league had a very talented distance runner who broke his leg at the beginning of the season. Soon after the injury, they began training in the water. When the leg was ready for running, he came out of the water in excellent running condition.
An athlete at Fresno State tells me they have weekly training sessions in the water. Those who can’t swim wear the belt, and those who can swim generally do not. A member of the 4x400 team will hold a medicine ball over head while treading water with the legs, and then pass the med to the next team member.
Best,
Christopher