Swimming Program Research Articles

Effects of the systematic practice of a swimming program on the self-perception of physical and mental quality for professional performance.

Effects of the systematic practice of a swimming program on the self-perception of physical and mental quality for professional performance.

Exercise-induced anxiety impairs local and systemic inflammatory response and glucose metabolism in C57BL/6J mice

IntroductionThe complex physiological and psychological responses to regular exercise are yet to be fully elucidated. Exercise strongly modulates the immune system, inducing a plethora of dynamic responses involving the innate immune cell function and inflammatory processes that contribute to both potential health benefits and harmful side effects. Indeed, the relationship between physical exercise, stress, immunity, and metabolism serves as a paramount model of neuroimmunoendocrine interaction. Thus, the objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of both systemic and local immunophysiological responses together with behavioral responses to a protocol of anxiety-inducing exercise. Material and methodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated into sedentary or exercised groups, where the anxiety-inducing exercise protocol was based on a 14-day consecutive program of swimming in water at 38 °C. Anxiety-like behavior was corroborated through the elevated plus maze test. Systemic biomarkers of the stress response were assessed using ELISA technique and the expression of systemic inflammatory cytokines with Bio-Plex system. Phagocytic/microbicide activity, the expression of M1/M2 phenotype markers (CD11c, iNOS, CD206, ARG-1) and cytokines of the inflammatory response (MCP-1, IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-10) of peritoneal macrophages were determined via flow cytometry. Adipose tissue macrophage infiltration was studied through fluorescence immunohistochemistry. ResultsAnxiety-like behavior, elevated circulating glucose concentrations, systemic stress and inflammatory responses, together with increased oxidative stress and inflammatory profile of peritoneal macrophages, and macrophage infiltration in white adipose tissue were observed in exercised animals. ConclusionsA protocol of exercise that induces anxiety is associated with a neuroimmunoendocrine dysregulation affecting the feedback between the inflammatory and the stress responses, together with detrimental metabolic effects in glucose modulation. Systemic inflammatory alterations are accompanied by detrimental inflammatory responses in tissue macrophage populations. Altogether, these results show that exercise associated with anxiety, stress, pro-inflammatory responses, and hyperglycaemia represents a model of ‘dangerous exercise’.

Swim, Strength, or Combined Programs: Effect on Health-Related Physical Fitness in Adolescents With Down Syndrome.

The adolescent population with Down syndrome (DS) appears to show higher levels of body fat and lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness or muscle strength than their peers without disabilities. There is a need to create physical activity programs to improve these data. The aim of this research was to determine the effects of a 16-week swimming program, strength program, and combined program (swimming and strength training) on body composition and health-related physical fitness on adolescents with DS and to assess whether there are differences in the results of the different training programs. Forty-five adolescents (17 female and 28 male; average age 15.5 [1.53] years) with DS were recruited and randomized to three groups (swim [n = 15], strength [n = 15], and combined [n = 15]). Results showed that the swim group had significant improvements in all health-related physical fitness variables and there was an improvement in some body-composition variables (p < .05). The strength and combined groups obtained minor improvements in the variables analyzed. In summary, a 16-week swim program consisting of three sessions of 60min is able to improve levels of body composition and health-related physical fitness in adolescents with DS. The swim training program seems to be more effective in improving body composition and health-related physical fitness than the strength or combined program. These findings could be useful in different special-education centers due to the predisposition shown by the population with DS to this sportmodality.

Meeting Basic Psychological Needs: One Coach’s Application of Self-Determination Theory in Practice

According to self-determination theory, particularly basic psychological needs theory (BPNT), creating social environments, which support the basic psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness, are associated with individuals’ mental and physical well-being. Therefore, coaches have been encouraged to enact coaching behaviors in their programs based on BPNT. However, few examples exist demonstrating how coaches actually do this. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to provide insight into one collegiate coach’s endeavors to support holistic athlete development and promote thriving by using coaching behaviors which align with BPNT in a Division III swim program.

THE EFFECTS OF SWIMMING ON BODY POSTURE IN PRESCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

In this study we analyzed the effects of swimming on the posture of preschool children. The sample for this study consisted of 153 preschool boys and girls children aged 4-6 years (standard deviation= 1.1 years) living in Canton Sarajevo and divided into two groups of boys and girls, with one attended swimming school (n=61) and other did not (n=92). In order to evaluate the postural status, we used a reduced Napoleon Wolanski method with eight variables for the observed body parts: assessment of head posture (HPA), assessment of shoulder posture (SPA), assessment of scapular posture (SBPA), assessment of chest posture (CPA), scoliotic posture (SCP), assessment of abdominal posture (APA), assessment of leg posture (LPA), and assessment of foot posture (FPA). The results indicated a great effect of swimming on posture. We concluded the paper with some suggestions on how to incorporate swimming programs into regular school curricula.

The effect of a life skill-based learning model on improving students' basic ability to survive in water for 60 minutes through swimming

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of a life-skills-based learning model on improving students' basic swimming skills to survive 60 minutes in water. This study used a pre-experimental method with a single-group pre-test-post-test study design. A total of 80 male and female students, aged 19-21 years, body mass index 19-24 kg/m2, normal blood pressure (110/70 – 120/80 mmHg), normal resting heart rate (60-80 bpm), did not have a history of chronic disease and then were divided into two groups. The intervention was carried out by providing a life skill-based swimming learning program with a training time of 60 minutes/for each meeting, and a frequency of 1x/week for 16 weeks. Data collection to measure the essential ability to swim to survive in water for 60 minutes was carried out before and after giving a life skill-based swimming learning program for 16 weeks using a test of surviving in water for 60 minutes with a score range between 3 to 60. The data analysis technique used an Independent Samples t-Test with a significant level of 5%. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the average score of the essential swimming ability to survive in water for 60 minutes between G1 with G2 at the observation point after the intervention (51.70±15.68 vs. 16.93±7.22 score, (p ≤ 0.001)), and delta (22.05±5.23 vs. 3.55±1.75 score, (p ≤ 0.001)). Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the provision of a life skill-based swimming learning program can improve the basic ability to swim to survive in water for 60 minutes students compared to conventional swimming programs.

CSP2023: 379 - The development of a swimming programme for people with chronic low back pain using a modified Delphi technique

CSP2023: 379 - The development of a swimming programme for people with chronic low back pain using a modified Delphi technique

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...

The Effects of an Eight-Week Swimming Program on Body Composition and Assessment of Dietary Intake in Post-COVID-19 Patients.

COVID-19 infection and its consequences (long-term COVID-19 syndrome) have implications for weight loss, body composition, and diet quality. In the context of the "PostCovSwim" project, which is part of a broader international study, the impact of an eight-week swimming program on post-COVID-19 patients' nutritional status (i.e., body composition and dietary intake) was evaluated. Body composition and dietary intake were assessed by medically approved and calibrated bioelectrical impedance (Tanita 780 S MA) and food frequency questionnaires. At the baseline, most participants were classified as overweight based on their body mass index (BMI). However, their body fat percentage (BF%) classification indicated normal weight, although females were near obesity thresholds. Furthermore, at the baseline, according to the BMI classification, 62% of females and 61% of males were female, whereas according to the BF% for obesity classification, 44% of females and 43% of males were considered overweight or obese. Surprisingly, despite the eight-week program, there were no significant changes in body composition. Additionally, the assessment of dietary intake, which remained consistent throughout the study, revealed dietary imbalances characterized by an unhealthy low-carbohydrate, high-fat dietary pattern. This dietary pattern entailed excessive consumption of ultraprocessed foods; reduced carbohydrate intake (39% E vs. 37% E); increased total fat intake (46% E vs. 47% E); increased saturated fatty acids (14% E vs. 13% E); increased cholesterol (412 mg/d vs. 425 mg/d); increased free sugars (7% E vs. 7% E); and inadequate intake of fibre (24 g/d vs. 20 g/d), polyunsaturated fatty acids (6.6% E vs. 7.7% E), vitamin B12 (in females: 3.1 µg/d), vitamin C (86 mg/d vs. 66 mg/d), vitamin D (2 µg/d vs. 3.2 µg/d), folate (in males: 258 µg/d), calcium (777 mg/d vs. 743 mg/d), and selenium (in males: 66 µg/d). After an eight-week swimming program following COVID-19, no significant changes were observed in the subjects' body composition. Their dietary intake was found to not align with the dietary recommendations. These findings underscore the urgency of implementing comprehensive dietary and lifestyle interventions for post-COVID-19 patients to optimize their recovery and overall well-being. Physical activity, like a swimming program, may positively affect various aspects of human well-being.

Dynamics of physical status indicators under the influence of healthy swimming classes, constructed taking into assount the age characterristics of women's development

The work examines the dynamics of indicators of the physical condition of women aged 20-25 under the influence of recreational swimming classes, built taking into account the age characteristics of women. The purpose of the study was to investigate the dynamics of indicators of physical development, functional state and physical fitness of women aged 20-25 under the influence of recreational swimming classes according to a program that takes into account their age characteristics. The research was carried out in the physical culture and health groups of the "Pioneer" swimming pool in Kharkiv (KZ MSDYUSSHOR on water sports of Yana Klochkova). The study lasted for 10 months. The study involved 30 women aged 20 to 25, randomly selected from among those who attend recreational swimming groups. Two groups were formed for the study: experimental and control. Initially, both groups used the same exercises on the water (low-intensity exercises for familiarization with water, breathing, special exercises, for relaxation; the technique of the chosen method of swimming was consolidated and improved). Later, swimming took on the character of training, and the exercises offered to individuals of both groups began to differ. This difference consisted in the fact that in the experimental group, the duration, number of exercises and repetitions, dose of load, complexity of exercises and amplitude of their movements were proposed according to the age characteristics of the state of the female body. Classes in both groups were held three times a week - the duration of one class was 60 minutes. The following methods were used during data collection: analysis of literary sources; test method; pedagogical experiment; pedagogical observation; method of mathematical processing of research data. The work presents materials that show that the research conducted to study the effectiveness of the program developed and applied by us for women 20-25 years old has confirmed data and a reliable advantage in comparison with the generally accepted program. Eleven out of twelve indicators of physical development and physical fitness improved statistically significantly in the subjects of the experimental group (p &lt;0.01). \The developed health swimming program for women aged 20-25 can be recommended in the health groups of the city's swimming pools.

Evaluating physical therapy interventions for pediatric developmental disorders: Enhancing motor skill

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of specific physical therapy interventions, including Metaverse Physical Therapy, Nintendo Wii-integrated therapy, Whole-Body Vibration training, Segmental trunk and head control training, Ride-on car training, swimming programs, structured bimanual skill training, and running interventions in enhancing motor skills in children with pediatric developmental disorders. Methodology: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and longitudinal studies published from 2013 to 2023 was conducted. Studies that compared the effects of innovative physical therapy interventions such as metaverse physical therapy, virtual reality-enhanced treatments, and Nintendo Wii-integrated therapy, and traditional physical therapies on children with developmental disorders were included. Primary outcomes assessed included improvements in motor skills, cognitive functions, and social interactions. Results: The review identified significant improvements in motor function across various interventions. Innovations like metaverse physical therapy and virtual reality-enhanced treatments showed additional benefits in engagement and motivation. While all interventions generally improved motor skills, those incorporating advanced technologies and integrative approaches also positively impacted cognitive and social development, although to varying degrees. Conclusion: Physical therapy, particularly when integrating new technologies and holistic approaches, is crucial for improving overall development in children with developmental disorders. The review highlights the need for personalized, multifaceted therapy plans that address not only physical but also cognitive and social needs to optimize outcomes.

Does an Increase in Supraspinatus Tendon Thickness After Swimming Increase the Likelihood of Future Shoulder Pain?

Increase in supraspinatus tendon thickness (STT) resulting from swimming practice has been observed in those with a history of shoulder pain. The magnitude of change in STT after a swimming session and its rate of recovery may be an indicator of future shoulder pain incidence. The supraspinatus tendons that demonstrate a greater increase in thickness as a result of swimming practice will have an increased likelihood of future shoulder pain in a cohort of competitive swimmers over a period of 6 months. Descriptive epidemiology study. Level 2b, individual cohort studies. A cohort of 50 nationally qualified swimmers aged between 14 and 22 years, from 3 open National Swimming Programs in Victoria, Australia, were recruited for this study. Ultrasonographic measurements of swimmers' STT was obtained of both shoulders, before, immediately after, and 6 hours after a single swimming practice session. Data were recorded of any significant interfering shoulder pain at 3 and 6 months after the initial testing session. Stepwise logistic regression models indicated that significant predictors of the likelihood of experiencing significant interfering pain were sex [significant at 6 months; odds ratio (OR) 4.2] and the extent of change in STT immediately (OR 2.3 and 1.3 per mm at 3 and 6 months, respectively) and 6 hours postpractice (OR 1.9 and 1.5 per mm at 3 and 6 months, respectively). The current data suggest larger increases in tendon thickness after training are associated with an increased likelihood of future shoulder pain. These data may be valuable for monitoring training load and identifying athletes who may have an increased likelihood of shoulder pain.

Effect of baby swimming lessons on infants’ avoidance of bodies of water

AbstractDespite the popularity of infant swimming programs, no evidence exists to determine whether they influence infants’ judgments and behavior when confronted with bodies of water. We conducted two separate studies examining if the total number of swimming sessions an infant participated in predicted whether they avoided a body of water they could enter via an edge (Study 1—Water Cliff: n = 101 infants) or a slope (Study 2—Water Slope: n = 77 infants). The results revealed a significant interaction between number of sessions and type of entry into the water. Infants who participated in 10 or more sessions were more likely to avoid falling on the edge leading into the water but entered the water significantly more if they could access it via a slope. These findings suggest that while experience in baby swimming programs can promoted more adaptive behaviors on drop‐offs leading into bodies of water, sloped entries may heighten drowning risks for young children with greater familiarity with water. Because we tested the two groups of infants in different countries, further research is warranted to determine if cultural differences in child rearing practices or variations in the content and/or teaching of the swimming programs might explain these intriguing findings.

Somewhere Between a Stopwatch and a Recording Device: Ethnographic Reflections From the Pool

As has recently been highlighted, despite the prevalence of methodological “confessional tales” in ethnography generally, the challenges of undertaking ethnographic research specifically in institutional sports settings remain underexplored. Drawing on data from a 3-year ethnographic study of competitive swimming in the United Kingdom (UK), here we explore some of the practical challenges of balancing different elements of the researcher’s role when undertaking ethnographic “insider” research in familiar settings. In particular, we consider the difficulties of balancing the role of a doctoral researcher and the chosen research role of a volunteer coach with a competitive swimming program. Employing the anthropological concept of liminality, we also analyze the lived challenges of leaving a highly familiar field and entering a state of liminality, where the researcher was caught on the threshold betwixt and between a return to full-time employment in the former “known” role of coach, and a move forward to embrace a new “unknown” role as a full-time member of academic staff.

THERAPEUTIC SWIMMING PROGRAM IN SPORTS FOR ALL SETTINGS AND ITS EFFECT ON THE AQUATIC READINESS AND EMOTIONAL SATISFACTION OF CHILDREN WITH ID AND ASD

Children with intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are participating more and more actively in exercise programs, with swimming being one of the most popular ways to improve motor and psychosocial skills for these children. The Sports for All program, led internationally under the central responsibility of each Ministry through the General Secretariat for Sport in cooperation with Local Authorities, promotes the global effort to adopt this model of sport for citizens with and without disabilities of all ages. However, research has not yet been conducted to investigate the effect of exercise on Sports for All environments for people with disabilities, even more so on therapeutic swimming programs in Sports for All settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a therapeutic swimming program within the Sport for All Program setting on the aquatic readiness and emotional satisfaction of children with ID and ASD. The sample consisted of 13 children with ID and ASD, participating in a therapeutic swimming program for a duration of 10 weeks at a frequency of 3 sessions per week, 60 minutes per session. Instruments included the use of pre- and post-measures of HAAR and WOTA1 for aquatic readiness and the SSI questionnaire completed at the end of the program to assess children’s satisfaction. Non-parametric analyses (Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney) that were used, identified statistically significant differences in aquatic readiness for both children with ID and ASD, whereas satisfaction of all children from their participation in the program was completely positive. In conclusion, the therapeutic swimming program produced significant improvements in aquatic readiness and emotional satisfaction for children with ΙD and ASD within a Sport for All setting that provides important services to children with disabilities and low socio-economic status, as in this case.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0039/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Concussion Management Among National Collegiate Athletic Association Swim Programs

The nuances of swimming make the application of traditional return-to-play progressions following concussion challenging. Our purpose was to describe athletic training services and concussion management protocols among National Collegiate Athletic Association swim programs and compare them between the National Collegiate Athletic Association divisions. We surveyed 228 athletic trainers assigned to or with knowledge of their institution’s swim programs from a convenience sample of 539 (response rate = 42.3%) athletic trainers. Athletic training services were provided to 98.6% (214/217) of the programs. Nearly 80% (164/207) of the programs administered baseline concussion testing to swimmers, with differences observed between divisions (p &lt; .001). No differences (p = .108) in the number of concussions sustained by swimmers in the past academic year were noted between divisions. Specific return-to-swim protocols were reported by 51.8% (115/222) of respondents with no differences in the presence of a specific return-to-swim protocol between divisions (p = .790). While concussions are reported less frequently in swimming than other sports, appropriate medical care, including a specific return-to-swim protocol, is warranted and provided for future use.

Swimming prevents cell death of chondrocytes via PI3K/AKT pathway in an experimental model

BackgroundKnee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the main causes of disability in the elderly and with limited treatment options. Swimming was considered as an ideal form of non-surgical management of KOA. Nevertheless, the mechanism of swimming intervene OA remains unclear. ACLT induced OA model was often used to study the pathogenesis and treatment of OA. Thus, we evaluated the protective effect of swimming on KOA mouse and tried to explore the underlying mechanism.MethodsForty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: Blank group, ACLT group, ACLT + Swim group, Sham group and Sham + Swim group (n = 8). OA model was established by Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection surgery (ACLT). After modeling, mice in ACLT + Swim and Sham + Swim groups were trained with a moderate swimming program, 5 d/week, for 6 weeks. HE and Safranin-O/fast staining, Immunohistochemistry, TUNEL assay and Western blot were used to detect the effect of swimming on pathological changes, cell death and the mechanism in KOA mouse.ResultsSwimming significantly enhanced CoII expression and suppressed ADAMTS5 expression in cartilage of KOA mouse, thus ameliorated KOA development. Apoptotic and autophagic processes were enhanced in OA cartilage, which might be caused by down-regulation of PI3K/AKT pathway; swimming could activate PI3K/AKT pathway and thus regulate apoptosis and autophagy processes of chondrocytes.ConclusionSwimming could prevent cell death of chondrocytes via PI3K/AKT pathways, thus delayed the progression of KOA in an experimental model.

The Value of Swimming and Aquatical Exercises in the Development of Down Syndrome Children’s Body Schema

This study sought to show how swimming and aquatic activities might help people with Down syndrome with their coordination and balance (knowledge of one’s own body and its parts, awareness of one’s own image, and laterality). The target group consisted of 15 Down syndrome-diagnosed children (n=15), children who did not practice swimming lessons or any activity that involved physical movement in the water but only had engaged in structured physical activities outside of the physical education classes that were part of the school curriculum. We can reject the null hypothesis that swimming and aquatic activities do not create the body schema, a component of psychomotricity, because each participant significantly improved their final score on each of the 10 items, and the overall p-value was less than 0.05. applying a swimming program that incorporates challenging and diverse aquatic activities might help people with Down syndrome build their body schema, a crucial aspect of human psychomotricity.

Correlation between Anxiety and Success in Swimming Training Program for Non-Swimmers

The need to determine the factors that positively or negatively affect the acquisition of swimming knowledge arose with the development of various swimming programs. The aim of this research was to determine the connection between the level of anxiety and success in the process of motor learning in swimming training program for non-swimmers. A sample of 77 children, aged (11.00±0.71), participated in a swimming training program for non-swimmers for 20 hours according to the standard method used in the Republic of Croatia. In the first and last lesson, the swimming knowledge was determined by means of a scale of eleven grades that describe the level of acquisition of swimming knowledge. Level of anxiety was assessed by modified CSAI-2CSWIM anxiety level questionnaire. Correlation analysis determined that the level of anxiety has a significant negative correlation with performance in all three observed domains, cognitive anxiety -0.273 and -2.46, somatic anxiety -0.384 and -0.337 and self-confidence -0.420 and -0.308 with results on the final test and with progress in swimming learning. The results of the conducted research showed that the level of anxiety has a significant influence on the children’s swimming learning process.

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.