Swimming Practice Research Articles

Prática Atual de Natação entre Indivíduos com Prática Passada

Objective: To describe the current practice of swimming and other activities among individuals who practiced the sport at ages 7 to 13. Material and Methods: It was conducted a cross-sectional study including 66 individuals of both sexes, who answered a questionnaire addressing demographic, nutritional and health issues, as well as the current practice of swimming and other physical activities. Results: The prevalence of current practice of swimming was 6.1%. The main reasons reported for quitting the habit of swimming were lack of time, willingness to practice other sports and boredom. From those who stopped practicing swimming, 54% practiced other types of exercise. Conclusion: The prevalence of current swimming practice and other physical activities was found to be low and worrying. DESCRIPTORS Swimming. Motor Activity. Cross-Sectional Studies.

Compreendendo os significados das emoções e sentimentos em indivíduos autistas no ambiente aquático

Introdução: O autismo é um transtorno do desenvolvimento que consiste em uma alteração do sistema nervoso central, ocasionando problemas no comportamento. Entretanto, a prática da natação tem auxiliado na socialização dos portadores. Objetivo: Analisar as manifestações emocionais influenciadas pela prática aquática em crianças autistas. Métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, de abordagem qualitativa. Participaram do estudo seis crianças que frequentam regularmente a Fisioclínica de Casa Forte, Recife (PE). Os instrumentos utilizados foram questionário sociodemográfico, roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada e de observação. Resultados: As crianças demonstraram ansiedade antes de entrarem na piscina, mas, após, mostraram entusiasmo, alegria e sentimento de calma. No término das aulas, 50% delas resistiram em sair da água, sugerindo interesse em permanecer na aula. As participantes interagiram mais com brinquedos do que entre si ou com a professora. Conclusão: O trabalho realizado de forma lúdica proporcionou às crianças um ambiente prazeroso, contribuindo no desenvolvimento biopsicomotor e emocional.

Swimming injuries treated in US EDs: 1990 to 2008

ObjectiveSwimming is one of the most popular recreational activities in the United States. The objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of the complete spectrum of injuries associated with swimming and swimming pools treated in US hospital emergency departments. MethodsData from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 1990 to 2008 were analyzed. Injury rates were calculated using US census swimming participation data. ResultsAn estimated 1688924 swimming injuries occurred during the 19-year study, averaging 1 injury every 6 minutes. During the study period, the number of injuries and rate of injury among individuals 7 years or older significantly increased. Within this trend, injuries peaked in 1999 and significantly decreased during the last 10 years but still showed an overall increase of 18.6% in number and 29.3% in rate from 1900 to 2008. Patients 17 years or younger accounted for 60.5% of injuries, and patients 7 to 17 years of age had a greater mean annual swimming injury rate (18.78 per 10000 participants) than patients older than 17 years (9.15). Most injuries occurred in or around a swimming pool (87.0%), and most were soft tissue injuries (54.7%), followed by strains/sprains (16.4%), fractures/dislocations (11.3%), and submersion (4.9%). Injuries to patients younger than 7 years, submersion injuries, and injuries occurring at home were more likely to result in hospital admission or fatality. ConclusionsThe observed increase in injuries among individuals older than 7 years underscores the need for increased prevention efforts, including education about safe swimming practices, supervision, and environmental modifications.

Spatial accessibility to specific sport facilities and corresponding sport practice: the RECORD Study

BackgroundPhysical activity is considered as a major component of a healthy lifestyle. However, few studies have examined the relationships between the spatial accessibility to sport facilities and sport practice with a sufficient degree of specificity. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the spatial accessibility to specific types of sports facilities and the practice of the corresponding sports after carefully controlling for various individual socio-demographic characteristics and neighborhood socioeconomic variables.MethodsData from the RECORD Study involving 7290 participants recruited in 2007–2008, aged 30–79 years, and residing in the Paris metropolitan area were analyzed. Four categories of sports were studied: team sports, racket sports, swimming and related activities, and fitness. Spatial accessibility to sport facilities was measured with two complementary approaches that both take into account the street network (distance to the nearest facility and count of facilities around the dwelling). Associations between the spatial accessibility to sport facilities and the practice of the corresponding sports were assessed using multilevel logistic regression after adjusting for individual and contextual characteristics.ResultsHigh individual education and high household income were associated with the practice of racket sports, swimming or related activities, and fitness over the previous 7 days. The spatial accessibility to swimming pools was associated with swimming and related sports, even after adjustment for individual/contextual factors. The spatial accessibility to facilities was not related to the practice of other sports. High neighborhood income was associated with the practice of a racket sport and fitness.ConclusionsAccessibility is a multi-dimensional concept that integrates educational, financial, and geographical aspects. Our work supports the evidence that strategies to increase participation in sport activities should improve the spatial and financial access to specific facilities, but also address educational disparities in sport practice.

Back to Their Old Selves

Back to Their Old Selves

Interactions between domestic water hardness, infant swimming and atopy in the development of childhood eczema

AimRecent studies suggest that domestic water hardness and swimming in chlorinated pools may increase the prevalence of childhood eczema. The combined influence of these two factors as well as their interaction with atopic status has not been investigated. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study on 358 children aged 5–6 years (54% of boys) in 30 kindergarten schools. Parents completed a questionnaire about the child's health, chlorinated pool attendance and potential confounders. Data about tap water quality were provided by water companies. Atopy was defined as a sensitization to at least one aeroallergen or as a medication for allergy. The effect of water hardness and infant swimming practice were assessed by multivariate logistic models. In addition, the effects of these risk factors combined with atopy were evaluated using two measures of biological interaction: the attributable proportion of interaction (AP) and the synergy index (S). AP>0 and S>1 indicate biological interaction between the two risk factors. ResultsWater hardness was linearly associated to the prevalence of eczema whereas the relationship of eczema with infant swimming was not linear. We observed a biological interaction between hard water (>150mg/L CaCO3L−1) and atopic status that increases the prevalence of eczema with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.30 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.34–8.15 (AP, 0.41; 95% CI 0.15–0.66 and S, 2.4; 95% CI 0.96–6.01). Infant swimming practice combined with atopy also increased the prevalence of eczema (OR, 2.72; 95% CI 1.29–5.74) although none of the interaction measures was significant. However, when water hardness and infant swimming were combined, there was no further increase of the eczema prevalence due to some form of antagonistic interaction between these two factors (AP, −0.56; 95% CI −1.12 to −0.01 and S, 0.54; 95% CI 0.33–0.87). ConclusionsOur study shows that exposure to hard water and infant swimming interact with atopic status to increase the prevalence of childhood eczema. A breaching of the epidermal barrier by detergents or salts in hard water and by chlorine-based oxidants in swimming pool water might explain these interactions.

Deep and Shallow Water Effects on Developing Preschoolers' Aquatic Skills

The aim of the study was to assess deep and shallow water teaching methods in swimming lessons for preschool children and identify variations in the basic aquatic skills acquired. The study sample included 32 swimming instructors (16 from deep water programs and 16 from shallow water programs) and 98 preschool children (50 from deep water swimming pool and 48 from shallow water swimming pool). The children were also studied regarding their previous experience in swimming (6, 12 and 18 months or practice). Chi-Square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare the teaching methodology. A discriminant analysis was conducted with Λ wilk’s method to predict under what conditions students are better or worse (aquatic competence).Results suggest that regardless of the non-significant variations found in teaching methods, the water depth can affect aquatic skill acquisition - shallow water lessons seem to impose greater water competence particularly after 6 months of practice. The discriminant function revealed a significant association between groups and all predictors for 6 months of swimming practice (p<0.001). Body position in gliding and leg displacements were the main predictors. For 12 and 18 months of practice, the discriminant function do not revealed any significant association between groups. As a conclusion, it seems that the teaching methodology of aquatic readiness based on deep and shallow water programs for preschoolers is not significantly different. However, shallow water lessons could be preferable for the development of basic aquatic skills.

Bone health during late adolescence: Effects of an 8-month training program on bone geometry in female athletes

ObjectivesThis study investigated the short term changes in hip structural parameters in high level adolescent soccers and swimmers. MethodsTwenty-six girl swimmers (15.9±2 years) and 32 girl soccer players (16.2±0.7 years) were investigated before and after 8months of training. Fifteen non-active age-matched adolescents were enrolled at baseline to serve as a reference group. The geometric contributions to bone strength in the proximal femur were quantified using the hip structural analysis technique. ResultsEight months of training had increased the bone density in soccer players but not in swimmers. At the total hip, swimmers conserved their baseline low Z-score values while soccers remained above the normal. At the femoral shaft, the cross sectional area had increased for the two groups with a higher magnitude in soccers (3.17% vs 2.31%; P<0.05). The sub-periosteal width had increased in soccer players (P<0.01) but not in swimmers. The Z-score showed an improvement of cross sectional moment of inertia and section modulus at femoral shaft section for soccers (P<0.001), without any change in swimmers. Remarkably, swimmers had improved the Z-score of buckling ratio (P<0.005), while soccers did not. Discussion/conclusionA season of training for sport characterized by impact had induced significant bone geometry improvement in late adolescent females despite expectations that this period of growth represents a plateau in bone maturation. This study adds to the existing literature describing intensive swimming practice as lacking an osteogenic effect when assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Swimming as a Positive Moderator of Cognitive Aging: A Cross-Sectional Study with a Multitask Approach

This study examined whether regular swimming in older adults was related to better cognitive functioning and whether there were any global or selective positive effects of this physical activity (PA) on cognition. The cognitive performances of three groups of sixteen volunteer participants (young adults, sedentary older adults, and older adults who regularly practice swimming) were evaluated using a multitask approach. All participants performed a battery of ten tasks: two reaction time tasks assessing information processing speed and eight experimental tasks assessing three executive functions (EFs), (behavioral inhibition, working memory updating, and cognitive flexibility). The results showed that young adults performed significantly better than older adults on all examined cognitive functions. However, in older adults, regular swimming was related to better performance on the three EFs, but not on information processing speed. More precisely, five experimental tasks out of the eight tapping EFs were shown to be sensitive to positive effects from swimming practice. Finally, the demonstrated benefits of swimming on EFs were not necessarily linked to better cardiorespiratory fitness. The present findings illustrate the validity of using a multitask approach in examining the potential benefits of regular PA on cognitive aging.

Soothing suffering swimmers: a systematic review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries in competitive swimmers

This review details the examination, diagnosis, treatment and management of injuries encountered by competitive swimmers. Primarily, these involve the shoulder, however, the spine, knee and hip can be involved. Using the Coleman methodology score, we show that the methods used in obtaining and reporting clinical findings and intervention results could be improved. Where possible, we suggest improvements. A literature review was conducted in English, Italian, French and German using PubMed, Google Scholar and Ovid search engines with strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. Poor technique, and high training intensity and distance are the most common cause of missed swim practice and competition through injury. Few articles agree on a single method of each of clinical examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Articles are consistently retrospective with few investigating spine, hip and knee injuries. Clinical findings and rehabilitation methods should be reported using a more structured method possibly based on the Coleman methodological scoring system.

Risk factors and injury mechanism in Triathlon

In the triathlon the combined practice of swimming, cycling and running permits the reduction of overuse injuries compared to the practice of the running alone. Redistribution of stress over several part of the body and correction of muscle imbalance are cited as reasons for the reduction in injuries occurrence. Nonetheless, like other endurance sports, 80-85% of triathlon injuries can be scribed to overuse. From an etiopathogenetic point of view the overuse injuries must be studied in relation to the technical characteristics of the triathlon, to the transitional phases between the disciplines and particularly to the cycle-run transition, to the different load of training that the preparation of the Olympic distance requires compared to the long distance triathlon. Most of the injuries are caused by running and athletes most at risk are former swimmers and cyclists, since they lack of running experience and muscle elasticity. The triathlon cycle-run transition (T2) is a period of particular risk for knee and lower back injury. The knee, the ankle/foot and the lower back are the anatomic site most at risk of injuries. Ileotibial band friction syndrome is common in age groupers whereas Achilles tendon injuries and stress fractures occur more in elite athletes. Previous injuries are correlated with injuries occurrence and the sudden changes in training intensity or volume, hill training and the insufficient development of running technical ability are injuries extrinsic factors. The acute traumatology is due almost exclusively to falls in training and competition in cycling. The episodes of rhabdomiolysis are instead not rare, associated or not to exertional heat/idratation injuries. Injury prevention is based in particular on the learning of the correct technique of the three disciplines, on the right programming of the training sessions, on the study of the overload that the biomechanics of the transition phases between the three sports act on the locomotor apparatus and on the suitability of the technical instruments used.

Good Physical Fitness Counteracts Deleterious Effect Of Aging On Executive Functions: A Cross-sectional Study

Physical activity level and cardiorespiratory fitness have been identified as positive moderators of aging on cognitive performance (Hillman et al., 2008). The meta-analysis of Colcombe and Kramer (2003) showed that this effect is larger for executive functions than for other functions such as information processing speed. Factorial analyses conducted by Miyake and his collaborators (2000) suggested however that at least three distinct executive functions can be separated: behavioral inhibition, updating of working memory and cognitive flexibility. PURPOSE: To determine the selectivity of positive effect of physical activity on three executive functions. METHODS: Three groups of sixteen volunteer participants performed a battery of eight cognitive tasks involving executive functions. Group A included young adults (Mean age = 23.56 years), group B sedentary older adults (Mean age = 69.25 years) and group C active older adults regularly practicing swimming (Mean age = 69.13 years). Stop task, Stroop task and random number generation task were used to tap behavioral inhibition, spatial running-span task and letter running-span task for updating of working memory and Wisconsin card sorting test and two switching tasks for cognitive flexibility. Physical activity level was assessed through the Dijon Physical Activity Questionnaire whereas cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated thanks to the Rockport one mile test. RESULTS: A first series of independent two-sample t-tests showed that younger adults performed significantly better than sedentary older adults in the eight tasks tapping executive functions. A second series of t-tests showed that older swimmers performed better than sedentary older adults in five tasks out of eight. In some cases, we did not observe any significant difference between younger adults and old swimmers. CONCLUSION: A regular practice of swimming counteracts the deleterious effect of aging on the three executive functions indentified by Miyake and coworkers (2000). Because of the cross-sectional design, we cannot reject another explanation: older swimmers would regularly practice physical activity because their executive functions perform well whereas sedentary older adults wouldn't because of failure in executive functions.

Massive Spontaneous Epidural Hematoma in a High-Level Swimmer

A twenty-two-year-old Olympic-caliber collegiate swimmer presented to the emergency department with complaints of progressive weakness in both lower extremities. Two days earlier, the patient had noted sharp pain in the neck and the middle part of the back on waking; however, he was able to complete his morning swimming practice. He could not recall a traumatic event, but he had participated in a rigorous swim practice the day before. One day before presentation, the pain completely resolved. However, on the day of presentation, the patient had awoken from a nap with searing interscapular back pain and decreased strength in the legs. He reported no bladder or bowel difficulties at that time. He was unable to stand and was immediately taken to the emergency department. The medical history was unremarkable for any previous spine trauma. The surgical history was noncontributory, and the patient reported no previous bleeding dyscrasias. He was not taking any medications, and he reported no history of illicit drug use. Manual motor testing revealed normal strength throughout both upper extremities. The patient had strong biceps, triceps, and brachioradialis reflexes and had no difficulty with rapid fine alternating motions. He had a negative Hoffman reflex, a negative inverted radial reflex, and no upper motor neuron findings in the upper extremities. In the lower extremities, however, the patient had no strength in the iliopsoas, quadriceps, hamstrings, tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, or gastrocnemius/soleus muscles. The patient had absent patellar and Achilles tendon reflexes bilaterally, and he had no rectal tone. He had no sensation to light touch, pain, or temperature from the nipple line down to the toes. Blood tests were unremarkable, with a hematocrit of 42.4%, an international normalized ratio of 1.1, a prothrombin time of 13.8 seconds, a partial thromboplastin time of 26.3 seconds, a C-reactive protein level …

Immediate post-exercise energy intake and macronutrient preferences in normal weight and overweight pre-pubertal children

To examine the immediate effect of three different types of popular exercise activities on food intake and preferences in normal weight and overweight children. Forty-four (22 overweight) age and gender matched, pre-pubertal children participated in four separate visits. All performed three typical, 45 min, aerobic, indoor resistance and swimming exercise sessions and a control visit (no exercise). A similar buffet lunch was served immediately after each visit to both groups. The total energy intake and relative consumption of carbohydrates, fat and protein were recorded. In the normal weight children, total energy intake was reduced following exercise. This difference reached statistical significance only following the resistance-type exercise (14.0 + or - 1.4 [58.6 + or - 5.9] versus 19.4 + or - 1.7 [81.2 + or - 7.1] kcal/kg [kJ/ kg], in resistance exercise and control, respectively; p<0.008). The different types of exercise were associated with increased relative consumption of carbohydrate and decreased consumption of fat. In contrast, in the overweight children, total energy intake was increased following exercise. This increase reached statistical significance following the swimming exercise session (23.0 + or - 2.4 [96.3 + or - 10.0] versus 18.5 + or - 1.5 [77.4 + or - 6.3] kcal/kg [kJ/kg] in swimming and control, respectively; p<0.02). All types of exercise lead to a significant increase in the relative consumption of proteins in the overweight children. Finally, the total energy intake was significantly greater in the overweight children following the control (i.e., no exercise), and all types of exercise sessions. After normalization of the total energy intake to body mass, this difference remained significant only following the swimming practice (23.0 + or - 2.4 [96.3 + or - 10.0] versus 15.9 + or - 1.6 [66.6 + or - 6.7] kcal/kg [kJ/kg] in overweight and normal weight, respectively; p<0.04). Understanding the complicated relationship between exercise, appetite, and food choices may help us to optimize exercise interventions for this unique population, and to select the best exercise protocols to achieve a desired energy balance. Food intake and preferences in response to acute exercise are different in normal weight and obese children.

Asthma Incidence Symptoms And Swimming Practice In Children

According to the World Health Organization, 300 million people currently suffer from asthma. It is the most common chronic disease among children, bringing social and economical consequences. Asthma is defined by Global Initiative for Asthma as a chronic inflammatory pulmonary disorder that is characterized by reversible obstruction of the airways, which can originate cough, wheezing, and dyspnea. In order to improve the quality of life of those who suffer from asthma, there are being created several physical activities programs, such as swimming lessons. PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of asthma in Portuguese children, using the validated ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) questioner and verify if there were asthma symptoms improvements caused by participation in swimming lessons. METHODS: ISSAC was applied in 129 Portuguese children, in 2 different age groups: 7 and 13 years old. The ISSAC was delivered in person to the parents of the 7 year old children while the 13 years old children responded themselves to the survey. The questioners were applied in two different moments with a one year period interval. During this period children started to participate in swimming classes (twice a week, 45 min per session). Data were expressed in percentage of absolute and relative frequencies responses, in both evaluation moments (before and after one year of swimming lessons attendance). RESULTS: In the 7 years old group, asthma, rhinitis and eczema prevalence was 14.8%, 18.5% and 17.2% in the first evaluation and 8.6%, 14.8% and 16%, respectively, in the second evaluation. In the 13 years old group, asthma, rhinitis and eczema incidence was 22.9%, 14.6% and 31.9% in the first evaluation and 12.5%, 8.3% and 27.7%, respectively, in the second evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: There was an effective response to asthma symptoms due to the one year attendance of these children in swimming lessons. This improvement was more significant in the 13 year old group. In this group, 10.4%, 6.3% and 4.2% was the improvement reporting to asthma, rhinitis and eczema, respectively, whereas in the 7 years old group, the attendance of swimming lessons had improved 6.2%, 3.7% and 1.2% asthma, rhinitis and eczema problems, respectively.

Infant swimming in chlorinated pools and the risks of bronchiolitis, asthma and allergy

Recent studies suggest that swimming in chlorinated pools during infancy may increase the risks of lower respiratory tract infection. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of swimming in chlorinated pools on the risks of bronchiolitis and its late consequences. A total of 430 children (47% female; mean age 5.7 yrs) in 30 kindergartens were examined. Parents completed a questionnaire regarding the child's health history, swimming practice and potential confounders. Attendance at indoor or outdoor chlorinated pools ever before the age of 2 yrs was associated with an increased risk of bronchiolitis (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.08-2.68; p = 0.03), which was exposure-dependent for both types of pool (p-value for trend <0.01). Associations persisted, and were even strengthened, by the exclusion of other risk factors. Among children with no parental antecedents of atopic disease or no day-care attendance, odds ratios for bronchiolitis amounted to 4.45 (1.82-10.9; p = 0.001) and 4.44 (1.88-10.5; p = 0.007) after >20 h spent in chlorinated pools during infancy. Infant swimmers who developed bronchiolitis also showed higher risks of asthma and respiratory allergies later in childhood. Swimming pool attendance during infancy is associated with a higher risk of bronchiolitis, with ensuing increased risks of asthma and allergic sensitisation.

A Risk Assessment Model to Evaluate the Role of Fecal Contamination in Recreational Water on the Incidence of Cryptosporidiosis at the Community Level in Ontario

A quantitative microbial risk assessment model was developed to simulate the role of recreational water contact in the transmission of cryptosporidiosis in a model Ontario community. Stochastic simulations were based on plausible modes of contamination of a pool (literature derived), river (site-specific), and recreational lakes (literature derived). The highest estimated risks of infection were derived from the (highly contaminated) recreational lake scenario, considered the upper end for risk of infection for both children (10 infections per 1,000 swims [5 per thousand: two infections per 1,000 swims; 95 per thousand: three infections per 100 swims]) and adults (four infections per 1,000 swims [5 per thousand: four infections per 1,000 swims; 95 per thousand: one infection per 100 swims]). Simulating the likely Cryptosporidium oocyst concentration in a lane pool that a child would be exposed to following a diarrheal fecal release event resulted in the third highest mean risk of infection (four infections per 10,000 swims [5 per thousand: three infections per 100,000; 95 per thousand: 10 infections per 10,000 swims]). The findings from this study illustrate the need for systematic and standardized research to quantify Cryptosporidium oocyst levels in Canadian public pools and recreational beaches. There is also a need to capture the swimming practices of the Canadian public, including most common forms and frequency measures. The study findings suggest that swimming in natural swim environments and in pools following a recent fecal contamination event pose significant public health risks. When considering these risks relative to other modes of cryptosporidiosis transmission, they are significant.

Infant Swimming Practice, Pulmonary Epithelium Integrity, and the Risk of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Later in Childhood

Infant Swimming Practice, Pulmonary Epithelium Integrity, and the Risk of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Later in Childhood

Consumption of energy drinks among physical education students

This descriptive and cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the pattern of energy drinks consumption in a sample of physical education students through a self-applied questionnaire (socio-demographic data and characterization of consumption). Variables associated with consumption: gender, marital status, attending gym classes, athletic swim practice, and study in the morning. Consumption pattern (n=137): 2.2% once in their lives, 9.5% at least once in the last 12 months, 38% at least once in the last month, 39.4% six times or more in the last month, 10.9% 20 times or more in the last month. Justification for consumption: 54% to improve the taste of alcoholic drinks, 27.7% to extend their evening leisure periods, 13.9% to improve sports performance, 9.5% for stimulation, 8.8% enjoy the taste, 6.6% for curiosity and 4.4% to study. Of those who consumed energy drinks, 87.6% mixed it with alcohol, and 25.9% of the students reported they consume more alcohol when it is mixed with energy drinks. CONCLUSIONS: the consumption of energy drinks is associated to sports and drinking alcohol.

Exercise Behavior in Asthmatic Children: Effects of a Summer Camp Fitness Program in Taiwan

This quasi experimental study aimed to examine the effects of a swimming-focused summer camp program on self-efficacy and exercise behavioral change in schoolchildren with asthma and their parental support. Forty-one asthmatic schoolchildren were recruited from a medical center and an asthma education association in southern Taiwan. The participants in the summer camp program were assigned to the experimental group; the control group comprised those who did not attend the summer camp program. Each child was paired with a parent. A total of 16 child-parent pairs in the experimental group and 25 pairs in the control group were followed-up. This 1.5-day asthma summer camp program included 20 minutes of health education in physical activity, two sessions of swimming practice for the children, and a 2-hour conference with the parents. The outcome measures included an Exercise Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Stages of Exercise Behavior Change Questionnaire, and a Parental Support for Exercise Questionnaire. Before implementing the program, the two groups differed significantly in terms of the severity of their asthma, as well as their pre-camp test scores of exercise self-efficacy. Therefore, asthma severity levels and scores from the pre-camp exercise self-efficacy test were selected as two ANCOVA covariates. The adjusted means for stages of exercise behavior change on the 2-month post-camp test were significantly different between the two groups, F(1, 37) = 5.88 and p = 0.02. Compared with the control group, subjects who attended the summer camp reported more regular exercise behavior at the 2-month post-camp test. Thus, a summer camp program with swimming instruction can enhance the exercise behavior of schoolchildren with asthma. This program is highly recommended for managing schoolchildren with asthma.