Aquatic Activities Research Articles

Aquatic activity and emotional experience in adults with severe mental illness

This study examined the relationship of aquatic activity to positive and negative emotion in individuals with a severe mental illness (SMI). Individuals with SMI have been found to experience decreased positive emotions and higher negative emotions as compared to controls. It was hypothesized that aquatic activity participation would be associated with greater positive emotion and lower negative emotion post participation. Eighteen participants with a severe mental illness were recruited from a community mental health center. The study employed a pre-post design with a structured aquatic activity designed for moderate physical exertion. Participants demonstrated statistically significant increase in positive emotion and decrease in negative emotion pre to post activity. The findings of this study provide support for the potential effect of aquatic activities in psychiatric rehabilitation.

Complementary and alternative interventions for fatigue management after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review.

We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of complementary and alternative interventions for fatigue after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We searched multiple online sources including ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Library database, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, the Web of Science, AMED, PsychINFO, Toxline, ProQuest Digital Dissertations, PEDro, PsycBite, and the World Health Organization (WHO) trial registry, in addition to hand searching of grey literature. The methodological quality of each included study was assessed using the Jadad scale, and the quality of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. A descriptive review was performed. Ten RCTs of interventions for post-TBI fatigue (PTBIF) that included 10 types of complementary and alternative interventions were assessed in our study. There were four types of physical interventions including aquatic physical activity, fitness-center-based exercise, Tai Chi, and aerobic training. The three types of cognitive and behavioral interventions (CBIs) were cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and computerized working-memory training. The Flexyx Neurotherapy System (FNS) and cranial electrotherapy were the two types of biofeedback therapy, and finally, one type of light therapy was included. Although the four types of intervention included aquatic physical activity, MBSR, computerized working-memory training and blue-light therapy showed unequivocally effective results, the quality of evidence was low/very low according to the GRADE system. The present systematic review of existing RCTs suggests that aquatic physical activity, MBSR, computerized working-memory training, and blue-light therapy may be beneficial treatments for PTBIF. Due to the many flaws and limitations in these studies, further controlled trials using these interventions for PTBIF are necessary.

Fatal, unintentional drowning in older people

Background: The number of older people (aged 65 y and over) is increasing in Australia and chronic medical conditions are common. Aquatic activities provide physical and social benefits; however, understanding the risks related to aquatic activity is important for ongoing health and wellbeing. We explore the impact of preexisting medical conditions on unintentional fatal drowning among older people in Australia. Methods: Using coronial, forensic, and medical histories from the Australian National Coronial Information System, all cases of unintentional death by drowning (or where drowning was a factor) among older people in Australia between July 1, 2002 and June 30, 2012 were investigated. Preexisting medical conditions were reviewed to determine whether they were contributory to drowning. Results: Of the 506 older people who drowned, 69.0% had a preexisting medical condition. The leading contributory medical condition was cardiovascular disease, followed by dementia, depression, epilepsy, and Parkinson disease. All conditions except cardiovascular disease and depression were overrepresented compared with the proportion of the disease in the population. Falling into water was the most common activity immediately before drowning, especially among those with dementia, whereas those with cardiovascular disease were most likely to drown while swimming. Conclusions: Preexisting medical conditions contribute to drowning in older people but with unequal contributions. With the prevalence of medical conditions expected to increase as the population ages, targeted education for older people will be important. Risk management will enable older people to safely participate in aquatic activities.

Seasonal and Diel Environmental Conditions Predict Western Pond Turtle (Emys marmorata) Behavior at a Perennial and an Ephemeral Stream in Sequoia National Park, California

Abstract Managers making decisions may benefit from a well-informed understanding of a species' population size and trends. Given the cryptic nature and habitat characteristics of the western pond turtle (Emys marmorata), however, imperfect detection may be high and population estimates are frequently varied and unreliable. As a case study to investigate this issue, we used temperature dataloggers to examine turtle behavior at 2 long-term monitoring sites with different hydrological characteristics in Sequoia National Park, California, to determine if common stream-survey techniques are consistent with site-specific turtle behavior. Sycamore Creek is an intermittent stream that dries up every summer while the North Fork Kaweah River flows year-round. We found that while turtles spent most of the recorded time in the water (55% in Sycamore Creek and 82% in the North Fork Kaweah River), the timing of traditional surveys only coincided with the turtles' aquatic activity in the North Fork Kaweah River. At Syc...

Marine and Other Aquatic Dermatoses.

Occupational and recreational aquatic activity predisposes our population to a wide variety of dermatoses. Sunburn, urticaria, jellyfish stings, and contact dermatitis to rubber equipment are common allergies that are encountered in the aquatic environment. Among the infections, tinea versicolor, intertrigo, and verruca vulgaris are widespread. Swimmer's itch may occur due to skin penetration by schistosome cercariae, while free-floating nematocysts of marine coelenterates may precipitate seabather's eruption. “Suit squeeze” due to cutaneous barotrauma and lymphoedematous peau d’orange due to decompression are rare, described entities. This review serves as a ready reckoner for Indian dermatologists and medical practitioners to identify and manage these conditions.

Sink or Swim: Promoting Youth Development Through Aquatics Programs in Baltimore, Maryland

Youth participation in structured recreational activities promotes positive youth development. Engagement with others as part of a team or through group activities allows youth to develop skills in social interaction, goal setting, discipline, emotional maturity, physical activity competence, and many other abilities. As a recreational activity, group-oriented sport, and life skill, swimming has the potential to positively affect youth development in many different domains. Despite the promise of swimming for youth development, large disparities exist in access to and use of pools and swim programming. Swimming opportunities are much less available and less utilized by minority populations, especially in inner-city urban areas. In Baltimore City, Maryland, programs have attempted to improve youth swimming abilities and promote pool use for physical fitness, but participation has been low. The objective of this study is to understand the factors influencing use of swim programming offered in Baltimore, in order to identify suggestions for improving swim programs to more effectively engage inner city minority youth. Researchers conducted 13 in-depth-interviews, three focus group discussions, and six pool observations. Informants included Baltimore City parents, teachers, young adults (18-24 years old), aquatics staff, and city officials from both swimming and non-swimming backgrounds. Findings suggest that important barriers to youth participation in swimming include inconsistent availability of swim programs, limited knowledge of swimming opportunities, variant local definitions of swimming ability, and a lack of role models. Motivators to swimming participation include supportive role models and perceptions of swimming as a gateway to employment opportunities. To improve programs promoting youth development through swimming, the identified barriers and motivators should be addressed by developing messaging focused on: skills of competent swimmers, pool and class schedules, financial costs and support, pool safety, transportation options, benefits of indoor pools, the growing diversity of swimmers, family-oriented aquatic activities, the social and physical appeal of swimming, and employment opportunities swimming can provide. Community outreach and engagement with schools and parent organizations could help change social norms and increase youth participation in swimming. This would provide youth, both in Baltimore and other urban populations, with more opportunities for positive development. Subscribe to JPRA

Impacts of environmental and anthropogenic stresses on macrozoobenthic communities in Jinhae Bay, Korea

In this study, spatiotemporal dynamics of macrofaunal assemblages and their associations with environmental conditions were examined in Jinhae Bay (10 sites), where the obvious sources of pollution including industries, oyster farms (hanging cultures), and municipal discharges has surrounded. The survey had performed over five consecutive seasons in 2013–2014. Target sedimentary variables included grain size, organic content, C/N ratio, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios, and some heavy metals. Five ecological quality indices (EcoQ) were calculated from the benthic community data to evaluate ecological qualities in site-specific manner. Jinhae Bay is a shallow (depths range, 11–24 m) and typical semi-enclosed bay. The benthic environments represented mud dominated bottoms (>70%) with fairly substantial organic content levels (>2%) over all five seasons. Seasonal patterns were observed with peak abundances in the spring and distinctive macrozoobenthos species shifts in the summer. The spring bloom could be explained by drastic increases of some polychaetes, mainly Capitella sp., at certain site, particularly near the shore. The oyster farms situated in the innermost locations seem to provide organic-rich bottoms being dominated by opportunistic species and/or organic pollution indicator species, such as Lumbrineris longifolia, Capitella sp., and Paraprionospio patiens. In general, the EcoQ indicators indicated that Jinhae Bay was moderately polluted, with exceptionally poor EcoQ in a few locations during the specific season(s). Overall, adverse effects on benthic community was broadly attributable to contaminations of heavy metals and nearby aquatic farm activities in Jinhae Bay, which requires a prompt action toward ecosystem-based management practice in the given area.

Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Edema in Athletes

Several pulmonary conditions were proven to be fatal in athletes. One of these conditions is pulmonary edema in athletes which requires differential diagnosis and often management in the ICU. Pulmonary edema in athletes can develop due to different sport activities including swimming, diving, running, cycling, mountain biking and the etiology and pathophysiology of these conditions may be different. This underlines the importance of pulmonary medicine specialist in the management of acute disease in athletes. The review focuses on pulmonary edema in athletes who participate in aquatic activities, running, cycling and mountain biking. Keywords: Athletes, pathophysiology, pulmonary edema.

Micro-Doppler Based Classification of Human Aquatic Activities via Transfer Learning of Convolutional Neural Networks.

Accurate classification of human aquatic activities using radar has a variety of potential applications such as rescue operations and border patrols. Nevertheless, the classification of activities on water using radar has not been extensively studied, unlike the case on dry ground, due to its unique challenge. Namely, not only is the radar cross section of a human on water small, but the micro-Doppler signatures are much noisier due to water drops and waves. In this paper, we first investigate whether discriminative signatures could be obtained for activities on water through a simulation study. Then, we show how we can effectively achieve high classification accuracy by applying deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) directly to the spectrogram of real measurement data. From the five-fold cross-validation on our dataset, which consists of five aquatic activities, we report that the conventional feature-based scheme only achieves an accuracy of 45.1%. In contrast, the DCNN trained using only the collected data attains 66.7%, and the transfer learned DCNN, which takes a DCNN pre-trained on a RGB image dataset and fine-tunes the parameters using the collected data, achieves a much higher 80.3%, which is a significant performance boost.

Monitoring of adult aquatic insect activities and ecological role in the riparian zone of streams in the Western Ghats, India

<div><p><em>The Western Ghats, running parallel to the west coast of India between 8° N and 21° N is a prominent feature of the peninsular India. In freshwater biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats, no information is available on activates and ecological role of adult aquatic insect in the riparian zone of streams.</em><strong><em> </em></strong><em>Most adult aquatic insects that emerge from streams live briefly in the nearby riparian zone. Adult activities, such as mating dispersal and feeding influence their distribution in the terrestrial habitat. An observation at Kurangani streams, Western Ghats, India has shown that both numbers and biomass of adult aquatic insects are greatest in the near stream vegetation; however, adult insects can be relatively common 1 to 10 feet from the stream. Why because, adult aquatic insects are abundant and they are primary food resource for many riparian insectivores. The role of adult aquatic insects in the riparian zone must be better understood for riparian and aquatic food chain to be complete. </em></p></div>

Stop there’s water on the road! Identifying key beliefs guiding people’s willingness to drive through flooded waterways

Floods are among the most widespread of natural disasters and exposure to floodwaters increases drowning risk. A leading cause of flood related drowning deaths is driving through flooded waterways. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, a two-phased research program was conducted. Phase 1 (N=25; Mage=32.38, SD=11.46) identified common beliefs about driving through a flooded waterway. Phase 2 (N=174; Mage=27.43, SD=10.76) adopted a cross-sectional design to examine the belief predictors of drivers’ willingness to drive through a flooded waterway. Given differences in consequences due to the depth of water, scenarios of low (road covered in 20cm of water) and high (road covered in 60cm of water) risk situations were investigated. A range of beliefs emerged as predicting drivers’ willingness to engage in this unsafe driving behaviour. These included attitudinal beliefs (e.g., sustain vehicle damage, become stuck/stranded), beliefs of social expectations (e.g., pressure from friends, family members, police), and efficacy beliefs (e.g., small distance of water to drive through, presence of signage). The results of the current study support using a Theory of Planned Behaviour belief-based approach to the understanding of risky transport-related aquatic activities. The findings highlight the role that specific key beliefs play in guiding people’s willingness to drive through flooded waterways and, in turn, provide possible targets for future interventions to curb this risky and potentially fatal driving behaviour.

Qualitative perspectives on aquatic exercise initiation and satisfaction among persons with multiple sclerosis

Purpose: To identify the individual and social experiences underlying the initiation and satisfaction with aquatic exercise among persons with MS.Methods: A convenience sample (n = 45) of persons aged ≥18 with MS who had engaged in water-based exercise within the previous six months completed a 60–90 min semi-structured telephone interview regarding their aquatic exercise experiences.Results: An aquatic exercise history was not a prerequisite for the adoption of aquatic exercise. Rather, participants described aquatic exercise routines as stemming from recognition of a decline in physical function combined with encouragement and invitations to join aquatic programs. Despite regular visits, health care providers were not a common source of information regarding the feasibility of aquatic exercise. Participants’ aquatic activities included MS-specific and generalized aquatics courses, with class satisfaction resting on the instructor, class “fit” and a feeling of acceptance.Conclusion: Communication regarding local aquatic opportunities is critical for ensuring aquatics engagement among persons with MS. Providers could play a stronger role in emphasizing the feasibility and benefits of aquatic programs. In addition, persons with MS should be encouraged to try local MS and more generalized aquatic programs in order to identify a program matching their social and physical goals.Implications for RehabilitationDirected communication regarding aquatic opportunities is essential to prompting the initiation of aquatic exerciseBoth MS-specific and general aquatics classes can provide positive exercise experiences for persons with MSA history of regular exercise or aquatic experiences is not a prerequisite for the initiation of aquatic exercise among persons with MSHealth care provider visits may represent missed opportunities for promoting aquatics; providers should consider the suitability of aquatics for all patients with MS, regardless of the patient’s exercise history.

Efek Aquatic Aerobic Activity Terhadap Perkembangan Kemampuan Basic Motor Control, Gross Motor Dan Occupational Performance Skills Pada Anak Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Abstract: Aquatic Aerobic Activity, Land Based Activity, Motor Control. Cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by sensorimotor disorders of motor control (gross motors and fine motor) as well as posture. Aquatic aerobic activity is designed to give sensorimotor stimulation through a series of activities undertaken in the pool. Indicators of sensorimotor function improvement in CP can be evaluated through changes in the motion control capabilities, basic motor control in the setting of functional posture, and the ability to perform functional activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of aerobic aquatic activity towards the development of motor abilities, basic motor control, and occupational performance skills in children with CP. The study design was performed according to quasi-experimental design with control group pretest-posttest design. The study population was patients with CP that received rehabilitation treatment in occupational therapy unit YPAC Surakarta. Sampling using quota sampling with a sample size of 30 people. Analysis of data using paired samples t-test, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney using SPSS version 16.0. The average value of the change scores Bobath Chart and GMFM post-intervention aquatic aerobic activity amounted to 4.07 and 7.33, while the post-intervention land-based activity amounted to 0.80 and 1.53. The test results paired sample t-test for Bobath Chart scores and GMFM scores before and after intervention showed p-value <0.05. The results of the comparative analysis showed a significant difference (p-value <0.05) between the changes Bobath Chart scores and GMFM scores between the intervention group aquatic aerobic activity with land-based activity. Performance and satisfaction scores increased by 0.13 and 0.47 (aquatic aerobic activity) and 0.07 & 0.27 (land-based activity). Aquatic Aerobic Activity results in significant effect towards basic motor control, gross motor and occupational performance skills in children with CP.

Heart Rate, Blood Lactate, And Accelerometer-based Activity Data During An Incremental Swim Test

INTRODUCTION: Competitive swim coaches commonly use swim time observed from pace clocks and stopwatches and or direct verbal feedback from athletes as the primary means of gauging intensity during training. However, technological advances now permit the use of accelerometer-based monitors during aquatic activity. Recent studies suggest the use of activity monitors can provide an alternative, unobtrusive means of quantifying competitive swim activity (i.e. swim bout distance, speed, and energy expenditure; Wright & Stager, 2013, Wright, Brammer, & Stager, 2015). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to further examine the relationships between physiological measures (i.e. heart rate and blood lactate) and activity counts (from arm stroke and leg kick movement) during a progressive series of swim bouts. METHODS: Actical activity counts (from arm stroke and leg kick movement), swim speed, heart rate (HR), and blood lactate were collected during a series of seven progressive front crawl swim bouts each one 182.8m (200 yard) in distance. Subjects consisted of ten collegiate competitive swimmers (5 men & 5 women, Age 20.8 ± 1.1 years). The relationship between activity counts and physiological measures were modeled using linear and 2nd order polynomial fits for each subject. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses were significant in all models examining blood lactate (p < 0.05) and for eight of the ten subjects in models examining HR (p < 0.05). Polynomial regression analyses were significant for all subjects in models examining blood lactate (p < 0.05) and five of the ten subjects in models examining HR (p < 0.05). Mean values for individualized regression analyses R2 values ranged from 0.71-0.95 and 0.76-0.98 for linear and polynomial models respectively. Both linear and polynomial models examining the relationship between activity counts and swim speed were significant all in subjects (p < 0.05; R2 values ranged from 0.94-0.99). CONCLUSIONS : This study demonstrates that regression techniques using accelerometer-based activity counts recorded from arm stroke and leg kick movement may provide a non-invasive means of quantifying swim bout intensity within a group of collegiate swimmers.

Direct and indirect effects of sunscreen exposure for reef biota

Coral reefs are ecologically and economically important, contributing to both fishing and ecotourism economies around the world. Tourism and recreational activities have increased in coastal areas and so has the use of sunscreen. Sunscreen reduces human exposure to harmful UV rays, but washes off during aquatic recreational activities, which may negatively affect reef biota. To evaluate how sunscreen affects coral reef ecosystems, we added sunscreen at concentrations similar to previous studies to growing environments containing flatworms (Convolutriloba macropyga) with symbiotic algae, photosynthetic diatoms (Nitzschia sp.), Aiptasia anemones, and pulse corals (Xenia sp.). Using behavioral observations and estimates of population and colony growth, we show nominal concentrations of sunscreen negatively affect all of the studied species. Furthermore, we show that mobile flatworms do not avoid water which contains sunscreen and flatworms exposed to sunscreen prefer darker conditions. Based on our results, beach goers should limit use of sunscreens when near coral reefs and consider alternative protective measures, such as the utilization of sun-protective clothing.

Risky bodies, risky spaces, maternal ‘instincts’: Swimming and motherhood

Swimming and aquatic activity are fields in which gendered, embodied identities are brought to the fore, and the co-presence of other bodies can have a significant impact upon lived experiences. To date, however, there has been little research on sport and physical cultures that investigates how meanings associated with space impact upon women’s embodied experiences of participating in swimming, specifically in the presence of their young children. Using semi-structured interviews and non-participant observations, this qualitative study employed a Foucauldian-feminist framework to explore self-perceptions and embodied experiences of aquatic activity amongst 20 women, who were swimming with children aged under four. Results highlight that through ‘felt’ maternal responsibilities, the co-presence of babies’ and children’s bodies shifted women’s intentionality away from the self towards their child. Mothers’ embodied experiences were grounded in perceptions of space-specific ‘maternal instincts’ and focused upon disciplining their children’s bodies in the lived-space of the swimming pool. Key findings cohere around mothers’ felt concerns about hygiene, water temperature and safety, and elements of intercorporeality and ‘somatic empathy’.

Recreational fisheries in the UK: natural capital, ecosystem services, threats, and management

The island nature of the UK has led to its long history of commercial marine fisheries, with associated recreational fisheries along and near to its extensive shoreline. In addition, an abundance of fresh waters provides extensive recreational fisheries, but few commercial fisheries, on rivers and lakes where catch-and-release is prevalent. Here, an overview is presented of these fisheries by describing their main features using the concepts of natural capital and ecosystem services and then considering the threats that they face and the management that has been developed in response. In the marine environment, a wide range of fish species is targeted, but the Orders Gadiformes, Perciformes, and Pleuronectiformes are particularly important. Far fewer species are available for exploitation in fresh waters, but the Orders Cypriniformes, Perciformes, and Salmoniformes are fished extensively. In total, the UK has in excess of three million recreational anglers in a population of approximately 65 million people. Threats to UK recreational fisheries include overfishing, physical habitat modification, acidification, chemical pollution, eutrophication, endocrine disrupters, nanoparticles, species introductions, and climate change. Great scientific and management advances have been made such that most of the required aquatic biological management activities are now based on mature science and are in many cases now largely operational matters. In addition, the work of the UK statutory bodies for fisheries is increasingly supplemented by the efforts of more independent groups, including through citizen science. Ecosystem-based management is now commonplace and activities have expanded above and away from the water to include the management of anglers and other members of society. The UK’s recreational fisheries continue to face substantial challenges, but there are also substantial grounds for great optimism for their future.

Marine envenomations in returning French travellers seen in a tropical diseases unit, 2008-13.

Travel and aquatic activities are increasing in tropical regions. The risk and the spectrum of marine envenomation are unknown in travellers. This work aims to evaluate the prevalence and the characteristics of marine envenomations in returning travellers. We retrospectively studied the medical charts of all returning travellers presenting with a health problem in a French tropical disease unit between 2008 and 2013, with focus on travellers complaining of marine envenomation. Characteristics of each type of envenomation are described. Of the 3315 travellers seen during the study period, 43 consulted for a presumed marine envenomation. Six patients were excluded, leaving 37 cases of confirmed marine envenomation. It corresponds to a prevalence of 1.1%. Sex ratio was balanced with 18 men and 19 women. Median age was 42 years (range 25-68 years). Median travel duration was 14 days (range: 6-62 days). The main travel destination was Southeast Asia in 10 cases, followed by islands of East Africa in seven cases. Median elapsed time between envenomation and consultation was 14 days (range: 2-130 days). The purpose of travel was tourism in all cases. The main clinical aspects were oedema, sting marks, cellulitis and flagellations. Eleven cases were presumably caused by corals, 10 by stonefish, 8 by jellyfish, 2 by weever fish, 2 by starfish, 2 by stingray, 1 by lionfish and 1 by sea anemone. Prevalence of marine envenomation is low in returning travellers. They are mostly caused by corals, stonefish and jellyfish.

Phenotypic and Genetic Diversity of Aeromonas Species Isolated from Fresh Water Lakes in Malaysia.

Gram-negative bacilli of the genus Aeromonas are primarily inhabitants of the aquatic environment. Humans acquire this organism from a wide range of food and water sources as well as during aquatic recreational activities. In the present study, the diversity and distribution of Aeromonas species from freshwater lakes in Malaysia was investigated using glycerophospholipid-cholesterol acyltransferase (GCAT) and RNA polymerase sigma-factor (rpoD) genes for speciation. A total of 122 possible Aeromonas strains were isolated and confirmed to genus level using the API20E system. The clonality of the isolates was investigated using ERIC-PCR and 20 duplicate isolates were excluded from the study. The specific GCAT-PCR identified all isolates as belonging to the genus Aeromonas, in agreement with the biochemical identification. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the rpoD gene sequence and all 102 isolates were identified as: A. veronii 43%, A. jandaei 37%, A. hydrophila 6%, A. caviae 4%, A. salmonicida 2%, A. media 2%, A. allosaccharophila 1%, A. dhakensis 1% and Aeromonas spp. 4%. Twelve virulence genes were present in the following proportions—exu 96%, ser 93%, aer 87%, fla 83%, enolase 70%, ela 62%, act 54%, aexT 33%, lip 16%, dam 16%, alt 8% and ast 4%, and at least 2 of these genes were present in all 102 strains. The ascV, aexU and hlyA genes were not detected among the isolates. A. hydrophila was the main species containing virulence genes alt and ast either present alone or in combination. It is possible that different mechanisms may be used by each genospecies to demonstrate virulence. In summary, with the use of GCAT and rpoD genes, unambiguous identification of Aeromonas species is possible and provides valuable data on the phylogenetic diversity of the organism.

Valuing the health benefits of physical activities in the marine environment and their importance for marine spatial planning

The marine environment provides a number of services which contribute to human well-being including the provision of food, regulation of climate and the provision of settings for cultural gains. To ensure these services continue to be provided, effective management is required and is being strategically implemented through the development of marine spatial plans. These plans require an understanding of the costs and benefits associated with alternative marine uses and how they contribute to human well-being. One benefit which is often difficult to quantify is the health benefit of engaging with the marine environment. To address this, the research develops an approach which can estimate the contribution aquatic physical activities makes to quality adjusted life years (QALYs) in monetary and non-monetary terms. Using data from the Health Survey for England, the research estimates that physical activities undertaken in aquatic environments at a national level provides a total gain of 24,853 QALYs. A conservative estimate of the monetary value of a QALY gain of this magnitude is £176 million. This approach provides estimates of health benefits which can be used in more comprehensive impact assessments, such as cost-benefit analysis, to compare alternative marine spatial plans. The paper concludes by discussing future steps.