Background. Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common childhood disorders. Different treatment strategies are used to improve quality of life.
Aim. To systematically review the recent articles ...and investigate the effects of aquatic therapy on motor functions in children with cerebral palsy.
Methods. Studies between 2012–2022 were selected investigating the effects of aquatic therapy on motor functions in CP children. The databases Google Scholar, PubMed and PEDRO were used. Selection criteria included diagnosis as CP, use of aquatic intervention, participants aged until 18 years, use of validated outcome measure, published in English, and study design as a randomized control trial/pilot study/case study.
Results. Out of 11 studies selected for this review, 6 of them were randomized control trials, 2 were quasi experimental studies, 2 were comparative studies and one was case series. Aquatic exercises, Halliwick concept, Watsu and water immersion therapy, swimming exercises were used as aquatic interventions in the studies. Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) was the most commonly used tool for recording motor functions. About 64% of studies showed that aquatic interventions can provide significantly beneficial effects on motor functions of children with CP when compared to conventional therapy or no intervention.
Conclusions. Aquatic therapy provides beneficial effects on motor functions in children with cerebral palsy.
Keywords: cerebral palsy, aquatic therapy, aquatic exercises, swimming program, motor functions.
Down syndrome has been associated with more than 80 clinical characteristics such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems or obesity.
The current study determined the effect of a 36 weeks swimming ...program on different indicators of body composition in adolescents with Down syndrome.
45 adolescents with Down syndrome were recruited and randomized to two groups (control group vs. exercise group). Adolescents allocated in the control group carried out a recreational swimming program twice a week during 36 weeks meanwhile adolescents allocated in the exercise group did exercise three time a week during 36 weeks. BMI, Waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and thigh skinfold were measured.
ANCOVA tests were used to evaluate differences between groups in post-test intervention. Repeated measures of ANOVA were performed in order to assess differences in pre-test intervention in each group. t test were carried out to compare the pre-post-intervention differences in physical characteristics and body composition within each group. The exercise group had significant improvements in all variables of body composition (p < 0.05) except in subscapular and thigh skinfold.
The results suggest that a 36 weeks swimming program consisting of 3 sessions of 50 minutes is able to decrease levels of body composition in a sample of adolescents with Down syndrome. The findings indicate that it would be important to generate high intensity sports programs in sports associations in order to obtain positive impact on body composition levels within this population.
Childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with impairment across multiple domains, including social, familial, emotional and academic functioning. Available therapies, and in ...particular medical treatment, fail to produce improvement in this impairment. In this context, interest has grown in physical activity and exercise as potential interventions for the treatment of children with ADHD.
The present study investigates the effect of a recreational swimming program on cognitives functions on Tunisian children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The study recruited school children aged 9 to 12 years (n total = 40) with diagnosis of ADHD. They were randomly assigned into exercise or control groups. Neuropsychological tasks; the complex figure of Rey (ROCF), the stroop test and the Hayling test were assessed before and after the exercise program.
The results indicates that there were significant improvements in memory accuracy (p=0,000), selective attention (p=0,000), and inhibition process (p=0,000), in experimental group compared with the control group after the intervention. In the post-program, children experienced an overall shortening of task execution times with fewer errors of omissions. They also made fewer errors in interference situations, signaling better cognitive functioning. Conclusion These findings suggest that a recreational swimming program may have positive implications for cognitive function and may provide preliminary support for alternative therapeutic interventions that can be used by researchers, parents, educators, and clinicians and they support that reinforcement approved by recreational program can normalize cognitive deficiencies in children with ADHD.
The purposes of this study were (a) to describe the perspectives and practices of instructors working in an out-of-school swimming program (OSSP) for underserved children and youth and (b) to examine ...the factors which shaped these perspectives and practices. The theoretical framework employed was occupational socialization. Two female instructors participated in the study. Five qualitative techniques were used to collect data and standard interpretive techniques were employed to analyze them. Key findings were that the instructors were highly skilled and had well-developed sets of beliefs about teaching swimming and working with disadvantaged children and youth. These perspectives and practices were influenced by the interaction of the instructor's acculturation, professional socialization, and organizational socialization. Implications for selecting instructors for OSSPs included asking potential instructors about their occupational socialization and hiring experienced physical educators. The study also suggested that instructor training includes a substantial teaching component and elements on technical pedagogy and teaching philosophy in the aquatic context.
The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of a 33-week swimming program on aerobic capacity, muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and body composition of adolescents with Down syndrome ...(DS). Twenty-two adolescents diagnosed with DS were randomly allocated into the training group (T) and the control group (C). The T group participated in 33 weeks of water-based exercise and a swimming program while the control group maintained their normal daily activity. Following thirty-three weeks of swimming program, body mass, body fat, and BMI of the T group decreased significantly (from 56.8 ± 7.97 kg to 55.0 ± 7.11 kg, from 15.1 ± 4.47 kg to 13.2 ± 3.92 kg, and from 25.1 ± 2.37 to 24.0 ± 2.05, respectively) while a significant increase was recorded in C (from 57.3 ± 8.43 kg to 59.7 ± 8.29 kg, from 14.5 ± 2.76 kg to 16.0 ± 3.11 kg, and from 25.4 ± 2.46 to 26.0 ± 2.72, respectively). Moreover, significant improvement in aerobic capacity in the T group was noted; VO2max (mL/kg/min) increased by 16.3% in T and decreased by 4.8% in C. Improvement in static arm strength, trunk strength and endurance/functional strength were noted in T, while the parameters did not change in C. The speed of arm movement, balance and flexibility did not change following the intervention. Also, the aquatic skills improved significantly in the training group. Changes in C were not significant. The results of our study indicate that 33-week swimming program significantly improved health status and swimming skills in adolescents with DS.
The study aims to analyze the effectiveness of a swimming program on interpersonal skills, autistic mannerisms, and aquatic abilities in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Research on ...aquatic therapy showed improvements in motor skills, whereas there is little evidence of effectiveness of this approach on social impairments of ASD. Participants included 25 children, 13 in the experimental group and 12 in the control group, matched for gender, age and autism score. The results showed an advantage in the relational skills for the experimental group at the post-test. The tendency to ameliorate other symptomatology, e.g., autonomy and negative behaviors, persisted at follow-up. Likewise, positive changes in aquatic skills were maintained 6 months after the end of the program.
The aim of this study was to determine statistically significant positive effect that regular classes of physical education with the simultaneous additional sport activities have on 11-year old ...pupils (±6 months). The sample of 100 subjects was divided into two subsamples. The sample of 50 subjects consisted of pupils who only had regular classes of phusical education at school. The second subsample of 50 subjects consisted of pupils who, apart from the regular physical education classes at school also had the experimental programme of training for non-swimmer, 24 hours total (twice a week, for 45 minutes). The evaluate the morphological characteristics, a seto of five variables was applied. The obtained results indicate a statistically significant difference between the control and the experimental group in the following variables: the body mass index with the level of p =.003, and the body fat with the level of p =.043. According to the results, swimming classes can be an efficient means for reducing the fat level in school children. This kind of research can be a starting point for further research focused on various water activities, which will include both sexes, a larger sample of subjects, a greater number of swimming classes, as well as to examine the differences between the pupils who take swimming lessons and their peers who are in the training process for swimmers.
Kim, K.-B.; Oh, C.; Ji, J.-G.; Choi, K.-H.; Kim, E.-J., and Nam-Jo, S.K., 2021. Development of survival swimming programs for people with disabilities. In: Lee, J.L.; Suh, K.-S.; Lee, B.; Shin, S.; ...and Lee, J. (eds.), Crisis and Integrated Management for Coastal and Marine Safety. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 114, pp. 637–641. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. This study advocates for the development of a survival swimming program for people with disabilities by examining survival swimming training in Korea and other countries. As the memory of the MV Sewol tragedy is still vivid, the need for appropriate safety protocols, including swimming for survival in the event of a disaster, is clear. Government officials and related industry professionals must develop more comprehensive maritime safety protocols. Survival swimming programs are available in schools and to the public. Although prior research has examined the importance of these programs, no studies have been conducted on survival swimming programs for people with disabilities, who may learn these techniques to save their lives in times of crisis and enjoy safe leisure activities in the water. This study suggests the following: First, the focus of swimming programs in Korea should be on survival and safe swimming. Second, survival swimming education should be required by law. Third, it is necessary to develop swimming programs and guidelines for people with disabilities and to standardize them by creating detailed and specialized programs. Survival swimming programs for both the general public and people with disabilities must meet global standards and carefully consider participants' disability status and specific environmental factors of the programs' locations.
The purpose of this mixed methods pre-/post-pilot intervention study was to assess parental psychological health and child challenging behaviors before and after a swimming program for children with ...autism. Participants were 10 parent–child dyads. Child’s challenging behaviors were lower in the post testing (Cohen’s d = 0.07–0.45). Mean scores were improved for parent perception of general health (Cohen’s d = 0.22). Three themes emerged from the post swim program focus group: (a) Parent satisfaction with instructors with sub themes (i) firmness (ii) creativity, and (iii) promotion of social interaction and sharing, (b) improved child sleeping, and (c) family dynamics with sub themes (i) siblings wanted to swim and (ii) parents’ fear of drowning. Preliminary results point to improved child behaviors and parent perception of general health. Future studies can focus on expanding the swim program to include all family members.
investigar os efeitos de um programa de natação supervisionado sobre parâmetros bioquímicos, qualidade de vida e capacidade física funcional em cadeirante portador de poliomielite.
Estudo de caso ...longitudinal com dois indivíduos portadores de poliomielite, do sexo feminino, submetidos a um programa de natação de 12 semanas, com frequência de duas sessões semanais e duração das aulas de 60 minutos. Foram feitas análises bioquímicas através de hemograma, parâmetros de qualidade de vida, com o SF-36 e testes de aptidão física funcional de alcançar atrás das costas e arremesso. As avaliações foram feitas 48 horas antes e após o programa de treinamento.
O programa de natação reduziu em 19% o colesterol, 18% o triglicerídeo, 11% a glicose, 42% os níveis de ansiedade. Concomitantemente, aumentou a saúde geral em 13%, a mental em 11%, a força de membros superiores em 10% e a flexibilidade em 23%.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a supervised swimming program on biochemical parameters, quality of life and functional physical capacity in poliomyelitis - bearing wheelchair users.
Longitudinal case / control study, both with poliomyelitis, female wheelchair users. The evaluations were made forty-eight hours pre- and post-training program. Our results indicate that the swimming program reduced cholesterol by 19%, triglyceride by 18%, glucose by 11%, and anxiety levels by 42%. Concomitantly, overall health increased by 13%, mental health by 11%, upper limb strength by 10%, and flexibility by 23%.
El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos de un programa de natación supervisado en parámetros bioquímicos, calidad de vida y capacidad física funcional en usuarios de silla para poliomielítico.
Estudio longitudinal de casos y controles con dos individuos poliomielíticos, de sexo femenino, que siguieron un programa de natación de doce semanas de duración, con una frecuencia de dos sesiones semanales y clases en aula de sesenta minutos. Las evaluaciones se realizaron 48 horas antes y después del programa de entrenamiento. Nuestros resultados muestran que el programa de natación redujo el colesterol el 19%, los triglicéridos el 18%, la glucosa el 11% y los niveles de ansiedad el 42%. Al mismo tiempo, la salud general aumentó el 13%, la salud mental el 11%, la fuerza de las extremidades superiores el 10% y la flexibilidad el 23%.
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