Chapter 25 Aquatics

1
Chapter 25 Aquatics
C H A P T E R
25
Aquatics
Monica Lepore
2
Adapted Aquatics

• Is not a related service.
• Is not aquatherapy, hydrotherapy, or aquatic
  therapy.
• (continued)

3
Adapted Aquatics (continued)

• Involves modifications to the aquatic
  environment, skills, facilities, equipment, and
  instructional strategies.
• Involves educational and recreational uses of
  aquatics.

4
What Adapted Aquatics Includes

• Swim strokes and other aquatic skills
• Competitive swimming
• Small craft
• Water aerobics and fitness
• Other water-based instructional and recreational
  activities

5
Physical Benefits of Adapted Aquatics

• Increases muscle strength and endurance.
• Improves range of movement.
• Improves breath control.
• Improves postural control.
• Improves overall health-related fitness.

6
Psychosocial Benefits of Adapted Aquatics

• Improves self-awareness.
• Boosts morale.
• Improves independence.
• Provides motivation to improve physical fitness.

7
Decreasing Fear in Reluctant Participants

• Allow reluctant participants extra time for
  water-acclimation activities.
• Use patience without pampering.
• Gently guide dont force.
• Explain everything in a calm, quiet,
  matter-of-fact voice.
• Teach in shallow water (e.g., on pool steps,
  water tables, or in-water docks) or on a
  gradually sloping ramp.
• (continued)

8
Decreasing Fear in Reluctant Participants
(continued)

• Use noncompetitive activities.
• Provide a mask or goggles if water in the eyes is
  an issue.
• Provide redirection of crying or anxious
  behaviors by using a colorful piece of equipment
  or discussion of the swimmers favorite food.
• Use the swimmers name frequently smile and
  praise small steps in the progression of water
  adjustment.

9
Inclusion Tips for Aquatics

• Use an alternative activity to one that might be
  inappropriate (e.g., jump vs. dive).
• Have teaching assistant repeat directions or
  provide physical support.
• Use a temporarily segregated program.
• Use AAHPERD-AAPAR or YMCA adapted aquatics
  instructor as coteacher.
• Peers who are trained as water safety aides or
  assistants can be helpful in providing specific
  assistance.

10
Important Considerations in Adapting Strokes

• What are the physical constraints of the
  disability?
• What is the most efficient way to propel through
  the water, given the constraints?
• What movements will cause or diminish pain or
  injury?
• (continued)

11
Important Considerations in Adapting Strokes
(continued)

• What adaptations can be made that will make the
  stroke or skill as much like the nonadapted
  version as possible?
• What equipment is available to facilitate the
  skill?
• What is the reason the swimmer wants to learn
  this skill (competition, relaxation)?

12
What the Instructor May Need to Do

• Adjust the swimmers body position by adding
  flotation or light weights.
• Change the propulsive action of the arms or legs.
• Adapt the breathing pattern.

13
ADA New Standards (ATBCB, July 2004)

• Newly designed, newly constructed, or
  significantly altered pools must have at least
  two means of access provided if they have over
  300 linear ft (91 m) of pool wall or they are not
  a pool where access is limited to one place
  (e.g., lazy river pool at a water park).
• (continued)

14
ADA New Standards (ATBCB, July 2004) (continued)

• Primary means of access
• Lift or sloped entry
• Secondary means of access
• Lift
• Sloped entry
• Transfer wall
• Transfer system
• Pool stairs that meet ADA code

15
Organizations Involved With Adapted Water Sport
or Swimming Competition

• International Paralympic Committee
• USA Swimming
• US Paralympics
• Deaflympics
• Special Olympics
• Dwarf Athletic Association of America
• United States Association of Blind Athletes
• (continued)

16
Organizations Involved With Adapted Water Sport
or Swimming Competition (continued)

• American Canoe Association
• International Foundation for Disabled Sailing
• US Sailing Association
• FISA Adaptive Rowing Commission
• USRowing
• Handicapped Scuba Association International
• International Association for Handicapped Divers

17
Examples of Modifications for Competitive
Swimming Adaptations(from USA Swimming, 2008)

• Allowing the swimmer to start in the water
• Allowing the swimmers assistant on the deck to
  assist at the start
• Using a visual starting system, such as a strobe
  light or hand signals, for Deaf and
  hard-of-hearing participants
• Being lenient in the time it takes to get into
  starting positions
• Modifying starting positions on blocks, deck, or
  gutter
• (continued)

18
Examples of Modifications for Competitive
Swimming Adaptations(from USA Swimming, 2008)
(continued)

• Using tappers for swimmers with visual impairment
  (assistants who hold a pole with a soft tip to
  tap the swimmer at turns and finishes)
• Using physical touch to signal a relay swimmer
  when teammate has touched the wall
• Not judging a part of the body that is absent or
  not used as part of a legal or illegal stroke
  technique
• Relay swimmers staying in the water if they
  cannot exit independently