Impact of Long-Distance Swimming “Enei” on Japanese University Students’ Grit

Hiroya Endo,Kenryu Aoyagi,Yoshinori Shiota,Koichiro Oka,Yoji Omoto

doi:10.4236/ape.2020.101001

Abstract

Long-distance swimming for children is recognized for its educational effect. However, there is a lack of understanding about the effects of long-distance swimming on university students. Therefore, this study conducted a questionnaire-based survey on participants of a long-distance swimming practice at a university to clarify the effects of long-distance swimming on their grit. The period of the survey is July 8-14, 2018. The survey was conducted before and after the program and the grit scores were analyzed using the Grit scale. The results showed that the grit and perseverance scores, which are subscale on the grit, were significantly higher post long-distance swimming. This suggests that university students’ grit is impacted by long-distance swimming and increased non-cognitive abilities is one of the effects of the same.

Highlights

Long-distance swimming (“Enei” in Japanese) is one of the traditional school events in Japan
There is a lack of understanding about the effects of long-distance swimming on university students
The results showed that the grit and perseverance scores, which are subscale on the grit, were significantly higher post long-distance swimming

Summary

Introduction

Long-distance swimming (“Enei” in Japanese) is one of the traditional school events in Japan. Enei was first practiced in 1902 at the Tokyo Teachers College. Since it has gained popularity throughout Japan, but has been incorporated into the swimming practice of the current school curriculum (Kimura & Yano, 2013). Enei for children is, “Schools involved, and individuals or groups who plan to swim for a certain distance or time According to Sano (1968), the significance of Enei in school education lies in its role regarding physical and mental abilities, improvement of skills, coexis-.

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