Swimming Skills Research Articles

‘What Girl Will Now Remain Ignorant Of Swimming?’ Agnes Beckwith, Aquatic Entertainer and Victorian Role Model

Interest in swimming for women during the second half of the nineteenth century was stimulated by the public appearances of professional female natationists who performed in endurance events, exhibited and raced in swimming baths, and displayed ornamental swimming skills in music hall tanks, as well as teaching swimming in female-only classes. This narrative explores briefly the life course of Agnes Beckwith, the ‘London Naiad’, during the last quarter of the century and concludes that individuals like Agnes, who had a lifetime of involvement in all areas of aquatics, contributed significantly to the increasing popularity of the activity among women.

Verification of the model of predisposition in triathlon - structural model of confirmative factor analysis

Background: The triathlon is a combination of three different types of sport - swimming, cycling, and running. Each of these requires different top level predispositions and complex approach to talent selection is a rather difficult process. Attempts to identify assumptions in the triathlon have so far been specific and focused only on some groups of predispositions (physiology, motor tests, and psychology). The latest studies missed the structural approach and were based on determinants of sport performance, theory of sports training and expert assessment. Objective: The aim of our study was to verify the model of predisposition in the short triathlon for talent assessment of young male athletes age 17-20 years. Methods: The research sample consisted of 55 top level triathletes - men, who were included in the Government supported sports talent programme in the Czech Republic at the age of 17-20 years. We used a confirmative factor analysis (FA) and Path diagram to verify the model, which allow us to explain mutual relationships among observed variables. For statistical data processing we used a structure equating modeling (SEM) by software Lisrel L88. Results: The study confirms best structural model for talent selection in triathlon at the age of 17-20 years old men, which composed seventeen indicators (tests) and explained 91% of all cross-correlations (Goodness of Fit Index /GFI/ 0.91, Root Mean Square Residual /RMSR/ 0.13). Tests for predispositions in triathlons were grouped into five items, three motor predispositions (swimming, cycling and running skills), aerobic and psychological predispositions. Aerobic predispositions showed the highest importance to the assumptions to the general factor (1.00; 0). Running predispositions were measured as a very significant factor (-0.85; 0.28) which confirms importance of this critical stage of the race. Lower factor weight showed clusters of swimming (-0.61; 0.63) and cycling (0.53; 0.72) predispositions. The psychological predispositions were found in the lowest effect (0.36; 0.87). Conclusions: We confirm predispositions and tests for measurement of its level for top level male triathletes in the junior category. The model is in practice today in the Czech Republic, where we used the test standards for dividing Government support of athletic talent.

Content validity and inter-rater reliability of the Halliwick-concept-based instrument ‘Swimming with Independent Measure’

The Halliwick concept is widely used in different settings to promote joyful movement in water and swimming. To assess the swimming skills and progression of an individual swimmer, a valid and reliable measure should be used. The Halliwick-concept-based Swimming with Independent Measure (SWIM) was introduced for this purpose. We aimed to determine its content validity and inter-rater reliability. Fifty-four healthy children, 3.5-11 years old, from a mainstream swimming program participated in a content validity study. They were evaluated with SWIM and the national evaluation system of swimming abilities (classifying children into seven categories). To study the inter-rater reliability of SWIM, we included 37 children and youth from a Halliwick swimming program, aged 7-22 years, who were evaluated by two Halliwick instructors independently. The average SWIM score differed between national evaluation system categories and followed the expected order (P<0.001), whereby a ceiling effect was observed in the higher categories. High inter-rater reliability was found for all 11 SWIM items. The lowest reliability was observed for item G (sagittal rotation), although the estimates were still above 0.9. As expected, the highest reliability was observed for the total score (intraclass correlation 0.996). The validity of SWIM with respect to the national evaluation system of swimming abilities is high until the point where a swimmer is well adapted to water and already able to learn some swimming techniques. The inter-rater reliability of SWIM is very high; thus, we believe that SWIM can be used in further research and practice to follow the progress of swimmers.

Can You Swim? Self-Report and Actual Swimming Competence Among Young Adults in Ballarat, Australia

This paper reports the Australian findings in an international study comparing self-reported and actual swimming and aquatic skills of young adults. Physical Education and Sports Sciences students (n = 263) completed the “Can You Swim?” self-report survey and practical skills assessment, unaware that the practical tests replicated survey items. Relationships for comparisons between practical tests and their matched survey item were weak, indicating participants had inaccurate perceptions of their own swimming skills. Typically, they underestimated their competence in terms of distance and fundamental aquatic skills. Understanding of what constitutes different levels of swimming ability was poor; for example, most participants identified as average or good to excellent swimmers, but more than half of self-identified average swimmers and 20% of good to excellent swimmers estimated they could complete < 100 m of continuous swimming. The implications of study findings for drowning prevention and the need for further research are discussed.

Use of a consensus-based process to develop international guidelines to decrease recreational open water drowning deaths

Many drowning deaths in high income countries occur while recreating in open water. Multiple agencies, often working in isolation, promote a plethora of messages to address this health issue. Our objective was to develop a consensus-based set of simple, generic guidelines, applicable to the general public, to standardize international recreational open water drowning prevention messages. We describe the processes of forming a Task Force of 18 international drowning prevention experts, of defining the scope of the guidelines and their development, of using a modified Delphi technique to prioritize, and of achieving approval of final wording of each guideline by consensus. Task Force participants agreed to develop guidelines for primary prevention of non-craft or competition-related recreational water activities in generic open water settings and to base guidelines on best practice and evidence. After compiling 125 guidelines, a modified Delphi technique was used to prioritize the guidelines into two categories: Keep yourself Safe and Keep others safe. Task Force participants agreed on eight key guidelines for each category. In both categories, Learn swimming and water safety survival skills was the highest priority guideline; other guidelines given high priority included Swim in areas with lifeguards, Know how and when to use life jackets, and Obey safety signs and flags. Use of consensus-based processes, including a modified Delphi technique, by a Task Force of diverse international drowning prevention experts, led to a set of simple, concise drowning prevention guidelines that promote uniform and consistent educational messages to the public. The process led to expanded definitions of supervision, provided a research agenda and basis for a policy agenda on open water drowning prevention, and maximized dissemination of the guidelines to decrease open water drowning deaths. Moreover, the processes represented a step toward coordinating drowning prevention efforts internationally to focus efforts on decreasing open water recreational drowning.

A study on rescuer drowning and multiple drowning incidents

IntroductionDrowning is a leading cause of injury related death in many countries, including Turkey, where this study originates. The aim of the study is to define and examine “rescuer” drowning and Multiple Drowning Incidents (MDIs), and suggest preventative measures against MDIs. MethodThe event of a person drowning can be complicated if an untrained person attempts to rescue the Primary Drowning Victim (PDV). This can result in the death of the “rescuer” as well as the PDV, which then becomes an MDI. This study categorizes these MDI incidents by examining online news media accounts in Turkey from 2005 through 2008. ResultsIn this 4-year period, 88 “rescuer” drowning incidents occurred in which 114 “rescuers” and 60 PDVs died from drowning in MDIs; 114 drowned “rescuers” rescued 47 PDVs before they died from drowning. Most of the “rescuers” were male and 42.1% of them were under the age of 18. Most of the drowning incidents (68.5%) occurred in fresh water (lakes/dams/water holes and rivers/creeks/streams). ConclusionIn this study, risk factors for drowning deaths include gender and entering in unguarded open water. An increased awareness of such risks as well as promotion of both swimming and rescue skills in water could help reduce MDIs. Parents who live close to fresh water sources with boys under the age of 18years should be more aware of drowning risk because of their higher rates of deaths from drowning. Impact on IndustryThe results of this study give the chance to policy makers and all other related people or organizations to see the whole picture of deaths by drowning and the results can be used to build up preventative strategies as swimming teaching and life guard education.

The swimming program effects on the gross motor function, mental adjustment to the aquatic environment, and swimming skills in children with cerebral palsy: A pilot study

The aim of this research was to determine the swimming program effects on the gross motor function, mental adjustment to the aquatic environment and the ability to move in the water and swim in children with cerebral palsy. The sample consisted of seven children (4 boys and 3 girls) with spastic cerebral palsy and an average age of 9y 5mo ± 1y 3 mo. The swimming program lasted 6 weeks, with two swimming sessions per week. Each session lasted 45 minutes. The swimming program included the application of the Halliwick Method and swimming exercises which are used in a healthy population. The GMFM test was used for the assessment of gross motor functions. The WOTA2 test was applied to assess mental adjustment and swimming skills. The Wilcoxon matched pairs test was used to determine the statistically significant differences between the initial and final measuring. The results have indicated that there was statistically significant differences in the E dimension (p=0.04) and the total score T (p=0.03) of the GMFM test, then for mental adjustment to the aquatic environment WMA (p=0.02), ability to move in water andswimming skills WSW (p=0.03) and the overall result WTO (p=0.02) of the WOTA2 test. The applied swimming program had a statistically significant effect on the improvement in walking, running and jumping as well as the overall gross motor functions of children with cerebral palsy. The applied program also contributed to a statistically significant influence on the increase in mental adjustment to the aquatic environment and the ability to move in water and swim.

大学競泳選手が泳技能改善時に重視している身体感覚

大学競泳選手が泳技能改善時に重視している身体感覚

Effects of Teaching Methods on Swimming Skill Acquisition in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Effects of Teaching Methods on Swimming Skill Acquisition in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

أثر برنامج تعليمي لبعض مهارات السباحة على تخفيف حدة الألم عند مرضى آلام أسفل الظهر

This study aimed to identify the Effect of a learning program for some swimming skills on reducing the pain level among lower back pain patients. The study was conducted on a group of ten (male) lower back pain patients whom their age range from 28-64 years old, at the department of physiotherapy at the university of Jordan hospital. Pre- and post-tests were taken including the measurement of anterior spinal kinetic range, back muscle strength, static balance and pain degree. The program lasted for eight weeks, with three learning and training units per week. The result showed that there were statistical significant differences in pain degree, and that no Statistical significant differences in the other variables. The researchers concluded that the learning program was effective in reducing lower back pain, and improving the other variables. The researchers recommends the use of the inhaler and directed learning swimming program to strengthen the back muscles, abdomen and legs to prevent lower back pain. هدفت هذه الدراسة التعرف إلى أثر برنامج تعليمي لبعض مهارات السباحة على تخفيف حدة الألم عند المصابين بآلام أسفل الظهر، أجريت هذه الدراسة على مجموعة من المرضى المصابين بآلام أسفل الظهر والذين تم تحويلهم إلى وحدة العلاج الطبيعي في مستشفى الجامعة الأردنية من قبل الطبيب المختص وقد تم اختيارهم بالطريقة العمدية، وكان عددهم (10) أفراد من الذكور، تراوحت أعمارهم بين (28-64) سنه وقد تم الحصول على الموافقة الخطية من أفراد العينة على المشاركة في إجراءات الدراسة، واستخدم الباحثان المنهج التجريبي بتصميم القياس القبلي والبعدي لمجموعة واحدة، حيث تم تقييم المرضى قبل تطبيق البرنامج وبعده واشتمل التقييم على قياس درجة الألم و مرونة العمود الفقري للأمام وقوة عضلات الظهر والتوازن الثابت، وقد تم تطبيق البرنامج التعليمي المقترح لمدة ثمانية أسابيع بواقع ثلاث وحدات تعليمية تدريبية في الأسبوع، وأظهرت النتائج وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في درجة الألم ولصالح القياس البعدي ولم تظهر فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في المتغيرات الأخرى. واستنتج الباحثان أن البرنامج التعليمي المقترح قد عمل على التخفيف من حدة آلام أسفل الظهر بالإضافة إلى أنه قد عمل على تحسين مرونة العمود الفقري للأمام وقوة عضلات الظهر والتوازن الثابت نسبياً، وفي ضوء نتائج الدراسة أوصى الباحثان باستخدام برامج السباحة التعليمية المقننة والموجهة لتقوية عضلات الظهر والبطن والرجلين للوقاية من آلام أسفل الظهر.

A study on multiple drowning syndromes

Non-intentional drowning incidents remain a leading cause of mortality in Turkey as well as all over the world. A following related secondary syndrome is composed of those who drown during altruistic attempts to rescue a drowning person. Such ‘rescuers’ who attempt to rescue a drowning person, may themselves drown, resulting in a tragic multiple death. This study covers the year 2009, and necessary data was found by using internet search engines to identify cases in which a potential rescue attempt resulted with the rescuer's fatal drowning. Thirty-one ‘rescuers’ and 20 primary drowning victims (PDV) drowned in 28 incidents in which 80% of drowned primary victims (DPV) were children, and 48.4% of the ‘rescuers’ were children. In 48.4% of the ‘rescuers’ succeeded in rescuing the PDV's life. Out of them, 38.7% of the ‘rescuers’ and PDVs were friends/colleagues. The aim of this study is to define and examine multiple drowning syndromes (MDSs) and to suggest preventative measures. An increased awareness of such risks as promotion of swimming and rescue skills could help reducing the MDSs.

Predictors of Swimming Skill of Primary School Children in Rural Thailand

Drowning is a leading cause of childhood deaths in Asian countries. Children in primary school have a high rate of fatal drowning. These fatal drownings commonly occur in natural water bodies near the child’s residence. The 2004 Thai National Injury Survey reported a higher rate of drowning death in rural settings. While swimming skill is recommended to decrease drowning risk, there is a lack of information on factors contributing to a child’s swimming skill. This study assesses guardians’ perceptions of the swimming skill of rural primary school children and identifies associated risk and protective factors. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted during August-September 2009 in rural communities of Chiang Rai province, Thailand. We analyzed a total of 633 interview surveys completed with guardians of primary school children. Results revealed that less than one-fifth (19%) of the school children (age 6–12 years old) could swim. Multiple logistic regression showed that children who can swim are more likely to have attended swimming lessons (Odds Ratio [OR] = 23.95; 95% CI = 12.21–46.98); be 10–12 years of age (OR = 4.15; 95% CI = 2.35–7.30); be male (OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.67–4.77); have had self-reported life-threatening submersion experience (OR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.10–4.12); or be the child of a guardian who can swim (OR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.25–3.44). The results highlight the need to provide swimming lessons targeting all children beginning in the younger age groups. Local resources in natural water sites may provide a place for safe swimming lessons in rural areas.

Group swimming and aquatic exercise programme for children with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 14-week aquatic exercise programme for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).Design: Non-randomized control trial.Methods: Twelve children participated in this pilot study with seven participants in the aquatic exercise group and five in the control group. The programme was held twice per week for 40 minutes per session. Swimming skills, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, mobility skills and participant and parent satisfaction were measured before and after the intervention.Results: No significant between-group changes were found. Within-group improvements for swimming skills were found for the intervention group. Programme attendance was high. Parents and children were very satisfied with the programme activities and instructors.Conclusions: This pilot programme was feasible and showed potential for improving swimming ability in children with ASD. Exercise intensity was low for some participants, most likely contributing to a lack of significant findings on fitness outcomes.

The Legacy of Fear: Is Fear Impacting Fatal and Non-Fatal Drowning of African American Children?

African American children’s rates for fatal and non-fatal drowning events are alarmingly elevated, with some age groups having three times the rate as compared to White peers. Adequate swimming skills are considered a protective agent toward the prevention of drowning, but marginalized youth report limited swimming ability. This research examined minority children’s and parents/caregivers’ fear of drowning as a possible variable associated with limited swimming ability. Results confirmed that there were significant racial differences concerning the fear of drowning, and adolescent African American females were notably more likely to fear drowning while swimming than any other group. The “fear of drowning” responses by parents/ caregivers of minority children were also significantly different from their White counterparts.

The Effect of Swimming Skill Education on Self-Esteem and Compatibility of Boy's Primary School Students

Self-esteem and adjustment are the psychological characteristics and personality which affect in improvement of psychological health of people. It has been shown that the physical activities have connection with psychological characteristics. The aim of this research is the effect of swimming skill education on self-esteem and adjustment of the starter boys’ student of high school in Ahvaz city. Method of research is experimental- field work. For this matter a questionnaire of Copper Smith (1967) and Sinha Singh (1993) have been used for analysis of students’ Self-esteem and adjustment. statistical society of this research are all the students of first grade high school in Ahvaz city and statistical sample are 40 starter students which are chosen randomly and divided in to two groups of test and witness each one consist of 20 students. The test group has been trained for swimming skill education for 8 weeks. The hypothesis of the test is at the level of about “P<0/05”. The swimming skill education has effect on the self esteem and its branches, social self-esteem, family self-esteem, and educational self-esteem of the first grade students of high school in Ahvaz city. Swimming skill education also has effect on adjustment and its branches in social adjustment, emotional adjustment, and training adjustment. The results obtained from this research show that swimming skill education has effect on self-esteem and adjustment of the first grade high school students, and therefore it is suggested that the office of education and training prepare a situation in all levels for the students to have physical activities, especially in the field of swimming.

Základní plavecké dovednosti ve výuce plavání

The basic swimming skills make an initial point for swimming education and their successful adopting aff ect education positively. We tested the reached level of select skills in group of the fi rst semester students of the Department of Physical Education and Sport at University Hradec Králové. We wanted to discover the level of these skills aft er swimming education had been fi nished 10 years ago. We set up fi ve-point scales for skills: dive head forward, breathing, gliding on breast position, gliding on back position, to dive and to pick up two objects. We tested three groups: Physical Education students (34, TV), Leisure Time Activities students (23, VMV) and Teaching for Primary Schools Education students (70, ZS1). Th e TV and VMV groups came out very similarly in evaluation. Th e VMV group shows the higher average of reached points but the TV group has more marked tending to 4 and 5 point-grade. Th e VMV group sounds like well-balanced. Th e ZS1 group drags behind these groups expressively. It shows big diff erences in all skills and tending to the lowest grades in two skills (breathing, gliding on back position). Th e high dispersion supposedly results from bad cooperation of ZS1 group students. Some of them refused testing. It is important the basic swimming education was followed with improving swimming education. Th e more skills the children learn the more oft en they will go in for swimming and overcome troubles connected with staying in water. And the big forgetting already adopting skills will not be too marked.

1207 Drowning in Children: The Rotterdam Experience

Background and aims: To assess the incidence and outcome of drowning in children.Methods: A retrospective, medical chart review study. All children admitted to the Erasmus MCSophia Children's Hospital because of drowning between January 2005 and December 2009, were included.Results: The study population consisted of 37 children (73% boys, mean age 4 years). 46% was not Dutch Caucasian. Most drowning events (62%) occurred in natural water. In 76% inadequate supervision by adults was the cause of drowning (children without swimming skills). In 5% the cause was non-unintentional, whereas 19% with swimming skills drowned due to an accident. In most cases the submersion time was unknown. At the scene 11 of the 37 children (30%) had no cardiac arrest (survivors n=11), whereas 26 (70%) had cardiac arrest due to hypoxia. Eleven of these 26 children had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after Basis Life Support (BLS) (survivors n=11), whereas 15 required cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Of these 15 children, 8 had no ROSC and died at the emergency room. Seven children had ROSC after CPR and were admitted to the PICU: non-survivors n=3 (withdrawing treatment due to unfavourable neurological outcome or brain death) and survivors n=4.Conclusion: In most cases the cause of drowning was inadequate supervision in children without swimming skills. The overall survival was 70%. Children requiring CPR are likely to die in the emergency room or PICU (73%). Prevention including swimming programs should consider differences in age and ethnicity.

Progress in Precursor Skills and Front Crawl Swimming in Children With and Without Developmental Coordination Disorder

This study investigated swimming performance and the influence of task complexity among children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Two groups of children were matched by age - 11 controls without DCD and 11 children with DCD. Repeated measures ANOVA showed that children with DCD performed significantly lower level than age-matched controls for all the water competency tasks and front crawl. Both groups improved significantly in water competency and front crawl over 10 lessons. Significant interactions suggested that children with DCD showed different rates of change during the acquisition of the glide and front crawl. Both groups regressed with increased task complexity. Awareness of motor learning difficulties experienced by children enables teachers, parents, and children to have realistic expectations. A supportive environments for children with DCD will enable them to achieve the important swimming skill competencies and reduce drop-out rates in learn-to-swim programs.

Determining the circumstances of drowning injuries in communities North and South of the Philippine Archipelago

Although analysis of existing data from the Department of Health and WHO on the Philippines show that 3000 Filipinos die annually, there are no details on where and how these...

Simple messages to prevent drowning in open water: guidelines from an International Task Force

IntroductionGlobally, many organisations have attempted to prevent drowning associated with aquatic recreation by promoting a plethora of messages. This diversity reflects the multifaceted nature of the drowning problem and the...