Swimming Participation Research Articles

The influence of school location, enrolment and socio-economic status on participation and success in inter-school swimming and track and field athletics competitions

ABSTRACT Australia has one of the most inequitable education systems in the world. While researchers have investigated these inequities in terms of academic achievement, attendance and behavioural outcomes, there is much less known about the impact of inequity on students’ participation and achievement in school-based physical activity and sport opportunities. This study investigated the impact of social and educational advantage on participation and success in primary school swimming and track and field athletics competitions in two Australian states. Multiple regression was used to see if the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA), total school enrolments and geographic location predicted school participation and success. Findings showed that ICSEA had a significant influence on swimming competition participation and success, with enrolment and location also being significant for some regions. However, our data showed less significant differences for these three variables regarding track and field athletics competitions. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Swimming Proficiency and Self-reported Mental Health Outcomes in Chinese Individuals

This researh examines the relationship between swimming proficiency and self-reported mental health outcomes in Chinese adults, considering different demographic variables. A descriptive-correlational research technique was used to recruit a varied sample from various areas and backgrounds in China. Systematic surveys evaluated swimming proficiency in multiple aspects, such as water confidence, breath control, body positioning, propulsion, coordination, and safety awareness. Additionally, self-reported mental health outcomes were measured, including emotional well-being, life satisfaction, self-esteem, sense of purpose, resilience, and social connectivity. The findings suggest that respondents usually have high confidence and proficiency in swimming abilities. However, there needs to be more understanding of safety measures, highlighting the need to enhance education on recognizing hazards and following safety procedures. Although respondents were skilled swimmers, they said that participating in swimming activities did not substantially impact their mental well-being, self-esteem, sense of purpose, resilience, or social connectivity. Nevertheless, a significant correlation between swimming proficiency and mental health outcomes was established, indicating that enhancing swimming abilities might benefit mental well-being. The study revealed many primary obstacles to participation in swimming, such as financial limitations, cultural and societal expectations, difficulties in accessing facilities, safety and health worries, and educational and psychological hindrances. The obstacles differ across different demographic groups, emphasizing the need for focused solutions.

The power of Para sport: the effect of performance-focused swimming training on motor function in adolescents with cerebral palsy and high support needs (GMFCS IV) – a single-case experimental design with 30-month follow-up

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the effect of a performance-focused swimming programme on motor function in previously untrained adolescents with cerebral palsy and high support needs (CPHSN) and to determine...

Exploring the Interplay between Technology Addiction and Swimming Participation: Insights from Secondary and High School Students

Exploring the Interplay between Technology Addiction and Swimming Participation: Insights from Secondary and High School Students

A Different View of Collegiate Swimming. Under the Umbrella of Title IX: Voices of Black Womxn Collegiate Swimmers at HBCUs

Abstract: Research completed by Norwood (2010), Quash (2018), and Waller and Nor-wood (2009) examined the experiences of Black Womxn swimmers. These authors identified swimming participation’s constraints and its impact on Black Womxn in collegiate and/or recreational settings. Minimal research encompasses a summation of the generational and institutional experiences of Black Womxn Collegiate Swimmers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) which no longer exist. Despite the success and experiences of Black Collegiate Swimmers and Olympians Lia Neal and Simone Manuel (both from Stanford University), and Natalie Hinds (from the University of Florida) who earned the top three places in the monumental 2015 Division I Swimming and Diving Championships (“ Three college swimmers make history at ncaa championship ,” 2015) from predominantly white institutions, little is known about one’s introduction to the sport, familial support, and the team culture as experienced by a Black Womxn swimmer and more so from an HBCU swimmer. This study was an opportunity to recognize the experiences of self-identified Black Womxn Collegiate Swimmers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the closure of these competitive swim programs. Noting the importance of race, gender, and class in a sport that is dominated by white cisgender men and womxn, this narrative inquiry study aims to provide a voice for Black Womxn who swam for athletic programs that Title IX, as a federal law, were unable to protect.

Coach-created motivational climate ratings differentiate between dropout and continuation in Australian youth swimming

Objectives Applying Bronfenbrenner's Bio-Ecological Systems Theory and PPCT model recommendations, this study examined whether specific or multiple factors were associated with participation status in Australian youth swimming; a context known for high dropout rates. Methods Participants were continuing ( N = 99) and former ( N = 104) swimmers, aged 8–18 years, who competed at club-national level in New South Wales, Australia. Participants completed an online survey, examining socio-demographic, participation history, and coach-created motivational climate characteristics (using the EDMCQ-C). To identify influential factors, a combination of T-tests, Odds Ratios, and MANOVA analyses were used. To confirm the presence of coach-motivational climate types and their association with participant status, cluster analyses with follow-up Odds Ratios were used. Results Except athlete age and sex, other socio-demographic, participation history, and family sport history participation were not associated with dropout. Meanwhile, EDMCQ-C analyses identified three cluster types of coach-created climate (empowering, disempowering, and neutral), with disempowering and empowering types, respectively, associated with dropout and continuation. The neutral climate was associated with low-moderate EDMCQ-C sub-scale scoring and was neither associated with dropout nor continuation. Conclusion Findings identify the influence of coach-created motivational climates and not athlete-related factors on continued Australian youth swimming participation, highlighting coaching implications.

Advancing Diversity and Inclusivity in Ocean Sciences by Re-Envisioning Overlooked Barriers in Scientific Diving Training

Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) is an essential tool in some marine science fields. However, financial costs and racial disparities in swimming participation can be a barrier to entry for many aspiring marine scientists of color. Scientific diving programs could improve access to scientific diving training by offering training as part of their standard undergraduate curriculum and by maintaining a stock of scuba gear for use during courses. Similarly, the American Academy of Underwater Scientists (AAUS) could make training more accessible by re-envisioning components of the swim test and by building water safety skills into AAUS training—​all without compromising safety. Combined, these two actions would expand pathways for students of color to careers in marine science, adding much needed diversity to the field.

A STUDY ON MOTIVATION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON SWIMMING POST IMPACT OF COVED-19 PANDEMIC

Millions of people in China and billions worldwide have experienced significant disturbances in their everyday lives because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has also impacted sports practice. Following COVID-19, the Chinese government put regulations that limit public gatherings and mobility, thereby affecting sports events and activities. The researchers used a quantitative approach (online survey) to determine the most significant goal orientations and swimming participation motives among Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology (GDUPT) students infected with COVID-19, those not infected, and those who do not know whether infected or not. According to the four basic types of orientation—social orientation, experience orientation, factual orientation, and result orientation—the motivations for participating in a sports event were analyzed to determine the correlation between psychological motives and swimming participation. The findings indicated that the three kinds mentioned above swimmers had similar goals and interpretations of their swimming activity but with some significant differences. As a result, the present research findings offer insight into the motives to engage in swimming among groups of university students based on their COVID-19 infection status. These findings may aid physical educators in analyzing student behavior and incorporating the findings into their daily practice, particularly in the strategic planning, instruction, and execution of university sports activities.

Relationship between arm span to height ratio, aortic root diameter, and systolic blood pressure in collegiate athletes

Study objectiveSudden cardiac death is the most common cause of non-traumatic death in collegiate athletes. Marfan syndrome poses a risk for sudden cardiac death secondary to aortic root dilation leading to aortic dissection or rupture. Arm span to height ratio (ASHR) > 1.05 has been proposed as a screening tool for Marfan syndrome in pre-participation examinations (PPE) for collegiate athletes but limited data exists on the association between ASHR and aortic root diameter (ARD). This study examines the relationship between ASHR and ARD and assesses for predictors of ARD. DesignRetrospective chart review. SettingNational Collegiate Athletic Association Division I University. Participants793 athletes across thirteen sports between 2012 and 2022 evaluated with PPE and screening echocardiogram. InterventionsNot applicable. Main outcome measures(1) Relationships between ASHR, SBP, BSA, and ARD amongst all athletes as well as stratified by ASHR >1.05 or ≤1.05 using univariate analysis. (2) Predictors of ARD using multivariate analysis using linear regression. Results143 athletes (18 %) had ASHRs > 1.05. Athletes with ASHR > 1.05 had higher ARD (2.99 cm) than athletes with ASHR ≤ 1.05 (2.85 cm). Weak correlations were noted between ASHR, ARD, and SBP. Multivariate analysis showed that BSA, male sex, and participation in swimming were predictors of ARD. ASHR was not predictive of ARD in regression analysis. ConclusionsThese findings showed a tendency towards higher ARD in athletes with ASHR >1.05 but this observation was not statistically significant in multivariate analysis.

Cognitive factors that lead to inspiration and post-event intention to swim among spectators

ABSTRACT Rationale/purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the role that event cognitions (aesthetics, evaluation, fantasy, flow, personalities) and inspiration play in generating a demonstration effect for spectators at one elite-level swimming competition, while controlling for spectators having other physical activity preferences, age, and current swimming participation status. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from spectators (N = 258) via a questionnaire at one elite swimming competition in Canada. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Findings Results indicated that inspiration had a direct association with intentions. Furthermore, inspiration mediated the positive relationships that fantasy and aesthetics had with intentions. All of the significant relationships were able to form notwithstanding the influence of the control variables. Practical Implications Suggestions to inspire spectators and increase post-event intentions are offered, including a focus on stimulating spectators to fantasize they are part of the action and highlighting the aesthetics of the sport. Research Contribution Although previous research has indicated that non-swimmers or those who prefer other physical activities are less likely to participate in the sport post-event, results suggest that those conditions might not have an effect on the formation of inspiration.

Moving Seaweed Farms from Shallow to Deep Seawater to Cope with Warming and Diseases in Zanzibar. Current Socio-Economic and Cultural Barriers

This study aimed at identifying the climate and non-climate stressors affecting the seaweed farming practices. It also examines the deep water seaweed farming as a viable adaptation measure to these stressors and barriers that could constrained female seaweed farmers who are the majority. The study was carried out in six selected groups, two groups were from South District, Unguja Main Island (Furahiya Wanawake-Paje and Flower Group-Muungoni). And four groups were selected from Pemba Island (Tuwe Imara and Umoja Kazi- East Msuka and Ipo sababu and Umoja ni Nguvu – East Tumbe) from Micheweni District. These groups were selected because they participated in previous project implemented by Milele Zanzibar Foundation (MZF) and The Panje Project (TPP). Questionnaire interview collected various information related to the study from 111 seaweed farmers who are members of these groups. Information such as baseline seaweed production, climate change and diseases that affect seaweed production, farmer’s awareness on moving seaweed farms to deep water to cope with increasing warming and diseases and their capacity to swim as prerequisite for the adoption of this coping strategy. The focal group discussions were conducted in all six groups to collect various information to triangulate the findings collected from the questionnaire interview. The data obtained from three methods analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings show that seaweed farming production has declined at least over the last seven years. Climate change and its variability, diseases, over utilization of shallow water space for farming seaweed, COVID 19 and price has contributed a lot in the observed decline. Deep water (0.5 meter during low tide and 3-5 meters during high tide) seaweed farming seen as viable option to cope and adapt to increasing warming and diseases but its adoption especially amongst female seaweed farmers constrained by their limited capacity to swim and their limited ownership of the vessels. The study also identified other barriers such as age, gender and cultural factors that could constrained female seaweed farmers from participation in swimming and sea safety training. To facilitate adoption of the deep-water seaweed farming method amongst the seaweed farmers, concerted effort should be made to overcome the barriers that are likely to limit the massive adoption of this method.

Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and Associated Risk Factors in Human and Biomphalaria Snails in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Schistosomiasis is one of the leading chronic parasitic diseases in Ethiopia. We aimed to summarize the prevalence of S. mansoni in human and Biomphalaria snails as well as risk factors in Ethiopia. Literature search was carried out from Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct and PubMed which reported Schistosoma mansoni infection in human and Biomphalaria snails in Ethiopia. The overall prevalence was estimated by a random-effect model and heterogeneities among studies were assessed by I2 test. A total of 178,251 participants and 1,097 snails were tested for the presence of S. mansoni in the eligible studies. The pooled prevalence of S. mansoni was 32.5% (95% CI 28.0-37.0) and 15.9% (95% CI -5.6-37.5) in human and Biomphalaria snails in Ethiopia, respectively. The highest pooled prevalence was 43.2% (95% CI 27.3-59.1) in South Nations and National Peoples region while the lowest pooled prevalence was 25% (95% CI 19.3-30.7) observed in the Afar region. Interestingly, the pooled prevalence of S. mansoni declined from 40.7% (95% CI 33-48.4) to 22.4% (95% CI 18.5-26.3) after the launching of mass drug administration (MDA). The analysis of risk factors showed that swimming habit (OR, 2.78; 95% CI 2.35-3.21) and participation in irrigation (OR, 2.69; 95% CI 1.45-3.73) were independent predictors for S. mansoni infection. This study revealed that about one-third of human and nearly 16% of Biomphalaria snails were infected with S. mansoni in Ethiopia. This review indicated that the prevalence of S. mansoni declined after the implementation of MDA. This study highlights the importance of further integrated approaches for better control of schistosomiasis in Ethiopia.

Just keep on swimming: the policy effectiveness of building swimming pools

This study investigates the relation between swimming infrastructure and participation in Flanders. First, we investigate whether the availability of swimming facilities is related to higher swimming participation and/or frequency. Second, the focus is on the relationship with quality aspects of swimming pools. A number of datasets are combined, namely two large-scale sports participation surveys (children N = 2,920; adults N =3,781), a sports infrastructure database, and a survey among swimming pools (N =125). The results indicate that the presence of a swimming pool in the municipality is not related to swimming participation (children and adults) and swimming frequency (adults), while also no effect is found for price reductions and quality aspects (i.e. age of the infrastructure, cafeteria). The results suggest that the swimming infrastructure in Flanders seems to be sufficient and that alternative strategies for a (sole) focus on the entrance fee and building (more) swimming pools needs to be addressed to increase swimming participation. The results also indicate that women, elderly, and citizens that had a longer education, have a lower probability to swim and swim less frequently and that further focussing on removing the barriers that they face would be a viable strategy to increase overall swimming participation.

Participation profiles of current masters swimmers and their (lack of) retrospective associations with youth experiences

National athlete development models often give little consideration to the multiple ways in which adults might participate in sport (i.e., recreationally or competitively, through sampling or specialization), or their trajectories into specific patterns of adult sport participation. Using adult swimmers' current and retrospective (youth swimming) data, the purpose of this study was threefold: a) to identify profiles of masters swimmers based on participation characteristics, b) to explore demographic differences between profiles, and c) to retrospectively examine these profiles for meaningful associations with youth swimming experiences. Survey data were collected from 205 Canadian masters swimmers with previous competitive youth swimming experience (M age = 44.4, range = 18–85; 60% women, 40% men). Two-step clustering analysis of masters' current swimming participation resulted in three distinct profiles: 1) “low-competitive specializers,” 2) “high-competitive specializers,” and 3) “samplers.” These profiles were not significantly associated with any demographic variables in adulthood, nor did they differ in terms of youth swimming experiences and time to transition into masters swimming. The remarkable homogeneity of social-demographic variables suggests that further work is needed to make masters swimming more inviting to diverse adult populations. Retrospective data revealed disengagement and later re-engagement in swimming that was consistent across masters profiles. Implications of these findings for coaches and programmers, as well as the need to account for adults' potentially complex re-entries into sport after time away, are discussed.

“It is not to think that real strangers, as you are, give us so much love”: An Austrian Pen Pal's Journey to a Safe Haven in the United States

Abstract This article traces Marianne Winter's unique immigration journey as an eighteen-year-old Jewish Austrian refugee. Pivotal to the family's escape was the epistolary friendship that developed in early 1935 between Marianne and her American pen pal Jane Bomberger. When Jane's father Max learned of the Winter family's persecution, he generously provided the required affidavit to ensure their safe passage to the United States. Six of the remaining letters from Marianne to Jane, additional family documents, and interviews with Marianne contextualize her upbringing in Vienna and her family's immigration story within a larger sociocultural and historical framework. The article examines how Marianne's youth, participation in competitive swimming at the Viennese sports club Hakoah, education at Eugenie Schwarzwald's Frauenoberschule, and apprenticeship as a dressmaker shaped her identity and enabled her to face the many challenges of forced immigration from her homeland. The article additionally explores how other members of the Winter family, especially her brother Stefan, experienced the Holocaust, immigration, and their new lives in the United States.

Sink or Swim? A survival analysis of sport dropout in Australian youth swimmers.

To examine long-term participation and dropout rates in Australian youth swimming using survival analyses and to determine whether multiple individual, socio-demographic, and competition-related factors influenced dropout. Retrospective cohort study of registration and competitive performance data. Part 1-Registration data from N=17161 female (n=9400) and male (n=7761) New South Wales (NSW) swimmers aged 10-15years (inclusive). Part 2-Competition level involvement in a subsample of female (n=1011) and male (n=811) swimmers, aged 12-15years, was also examined. To determine dropout rates and influential factors, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses supplemented by Cox regression were used. (1) Kaplan-Meier analyses identified median sustained participation rates of four years (95% CI=3.93-4.06), with 15.9% maintaining participation over 10years. Cox regressions identified age-group was associated with dropout (P<.001), with a 184.9% higher Hazard Rate (HR) for 10- vs 15-year-olds. Residential proximity to major cities was associated with dropout (P<.001), with urban swimmers reporting a 24.8% higher HR rate than rural swimmers. Sex and relative age were not associated with dropout. (2) The subsample median sustained participation was five years (95% CI=4.79-5.20), with 25.3% maintaining participation for ten years. Level of competition was associated (P<.001), with an 86% higher HR when considering lower competition levels (ie, club/district v national). In a large representative sample of swimmers, survival analyses identified age-group, competition level, and city proximity were associated with increased swimming dropout rates.

Physical Activity and Sport in Trans Persons Before and After Gender Disclosure: Prevalence, Frequency, and Type of Activities

This study describes the prevalence, frequency, and type of physical activity and sport (PAS) practiced by trans persons before and after their gender disclosure (GD). A face-to-face survey was administered to 212 Spanish trans persons, aged from 10 to 62 years old. McNemar and chi-square tests were used to determine significant differences. About 75.5% of the trans persons in this study engaged in PAS and more than 50% did so ≥3times/week, which is similar as in the general Spanish population. Participation was higher in trans men (78.7%) than trans women (72%). However, GD emerges as a key issue in characterizing trans persons' PAS participation. A group of 14.5% of them stopped activity after GD. Participation in nonorganized PAS was higher than in organized PAS, and this difference is greater after GD because most participants gave up organized PAS in favor of nonorganized PAS. Trans persons preferred individual sports and activities than team sports before and after GD, and the top 3 activities were jogging, walking, and bodybuilding. Trans men participation was higher than trans women in team PAS, whereas individual PAS were equally practiced before and after GD. Participation in football, swimming, basketball, dancing, and volleyball declined after GD, whereas bodybuilding increased in trans men. The results show that the high involvement of trans persons coincides with strategies used to hide or conceal their gender identities when participating in PAS. A decrease in PAS participation is observed after GD probably because it is an acute potential period of anxiety, discrimination, and victimization caused by trans persons' body exposure.

The Determinants of Social Anxiety in Lower Secondary Education Student Athletes: A Case of Competitive Swimming Environment

Social anxiety disorder is a common psychological problem that may negatively impact the cognitive and social development of children. Its severity may, however, be reduced through regular participation in sports or other physical activity. This study aimed to determine the relationship between competitive student-athlete swimmers' social anxiety levels and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and BMI), body composition (body fat and lean body mass), and body type (ectomorph, endomorph, or mesomorph). The participants were pre-adolescent female (n = 160) and male (n = 146) lower secondary education student-athlete swimmers. The Social Anxiety Scale was used to evaluate their social anxiety levels, while the anthropometric parameters included height and weight, from which BMI was calculated. Body composition involved determining the percentage of body fat and lean body mass; ectomorphic, endomorphic, and mesomorphic values were then calculated. We found that the social anxiety levels of both female and male student-athlete swimmers were low. There was no statistically significant relationship between the social anxiety levels of the male and female student-athlete swimmers with BMI (rs = -.002), lean body mass (rs = -.017), or ectomorphy (rs = -.006) (p &gt; .05 for all). For the female swimmers, social anxiety levels were not associated with body fat (rs = .116), endomorphy (rs = .067), or mesomorphy (rs = .032), nor were those of the male student-athlete swimmers (rs = .005, rs= .065, and rs= -.001, respectively) (p &gt; .05 for all). These findings suggest that participation in competitive swimming during adolescence is effective in controlling social anxiety. Furthermore, this study revealed that social anxiety is not associated with lower secondary education student-athlete swimmers’ anthropometric measurements, body composition, or body type.

Factors Impacting Swimming Participation and Competence: A Qualitative Report

Drowning continues to be a major cause of death for children, especially among minority groups. USA Swimming commissioned studies in 2008 and 2010 to look at swimming ability or inability, an associated drowning variable. The 2010 study showed alarming high percentages regarding insufficient swimming skill for many demographic groups. The current study’s purpose was to provide further analysis of variables which emerged from 2010 study and how these variables are affecting all US populations. Focus group interviews accomplished in three regionally diverse US cities asked participants (3=fathers; 12=mothers) about their personal history with swimming, perceptions concerning swimming in general, and their child’s swimming ability/habits. Results confirmed the positive impact parents have on their children and the benefit of their child developing strategies for continued growth of their swimming skill. Participants expressed a healthy fear of water. They believed that swimming was a life skill that all children should learn.

Vanishing racial disparities in drowning in Florida

ObjectivesTo examine the change in the racial disparity in drowning in Florida from 1970 to 2015 and to analyse the contextual factors associated with white, black and Hispanic drowning rates...