Sports Sciences Commons^™

Upper Extremity Biomechanical Analysis Of Defensive Flag Pulling In Flag Football, Rianne L. Aguilar, Claudia De La Cruz, Travis J. Peterson

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: This project aimed to determine upper extremity techniques during defensive flag pulls in women’s flag football. METHODS: Eleven healthy, female flag football players with at least high school varsity experience volunteered to participate in this study. Participants were instructed to pull the flag(s) of a stationary dummy placed 3 yards away as fast as possible. Trials were conducted in flags facing forward (F), angled 45° left (L), and angled 45° right (R) of the flag puller. Motion capture (Vicon, 120 Hz) and video analysis were used to analyze technique. The Waterloo Handedness Survey was used to indicate hand preference. …

Influence Of Virtual Reality Cognitive Fidelity On Biomechanical Adaptation And Motor Strategies With A Custom Prosthesis And Foot Controller., Marek R. Kwasek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

In an age of digitization, rehabilitation is embracing newer technologies, particularly VR, to enhance motor development and learning skills with real-world applications. With its practical replicability, VR’s visual (i.e., how visually realistic a virtual environment is) and cognitive fidelity (i.e., how well a virtual environment mimics the cognitive demands of real-world tasks) has the potential to influence motor strategies and, ultimately, a person’s functional biomechanics when learning a new skill. PURPOSE: To examine how different levels of visual and cognitive fidelity impact users’ reaching biomechanics when controlling a prosthetic arm using a foot controller. METHODS: Participants completed 12 …

Nanomechanical Effects Of Microgravity On Murine Tendon Fibrils, Patrick Bialy, Andrew S. Ichimura, Kent A. Lorenz, Ryan T. Scott, James R. Bagley

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Microgravity, characterized by a weak gravitational pull, poses physiological risks to astronaut health and performance. While its impact on muscle and bone is well documented, effects on connective tissue, such as tendon, remain understudied. PURPOSE: This study aimed to 1) quantify the effects of 37 days of microgravity on the compressive nanomechanics of individual collagen fibrils and 2) compare these findings to existing literature and previously collected lab data. We hypothesized that spaceflight (SF) fibrils would exhibit a lower Young’s Modulus (YM) than ground controls (GC). METHODS: Female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 37 days of spaceflight aboard the International …

Effects Of Acute Sleep Reduction And Aerobic Exercise On Metabolic Function In Healthy Adults, Eric Lessard, Gracie Dupuis, Jocelyn Kaveney, Braden Wilson, Grahm Mcginnis, Ryan Perkins

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

INTRODUCTION: The number of adults who receive insufficient sleep is progressively increasing, impacting the established relationship between sleep and metabolic function. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of acute sleep reduction on metabolic variables at rest and during aerobic exercise. METHODS: Healthy, active adults (n=11; 26.4±5.4 yr; 45% female) were screened to ensure eligibility (i.e., meeting the CDC’s sleep recommendations of 7-9hr/night, apparently healthy, recreationally active, and non-smoking), characterize body composition via DXA and measure maximal cardiovascular capacity (VO2max). Utilizing a within subjects, repeated measures design, participants completed an initial 7d period of …

Correlational Analysis Between Fat-Free Mass And Physical Performance In College Students, Rhea Misra, Giselle Murillo, Fraz Tahir, Tianou Zhang

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Fat-free mass (FFM), the body’s metabolically active tissue excluding fat, plays a critical role in strength, endurance, and overall physical performance. PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to investigate the association between FFM and physical performance in college students. METHODS: FFM was evaluated using the BodPod in a sample of 21 male and 12 female students. Various performance metrics were measured, including handgrip strength, aerobic capacity (via VO₂max test), anaerobic capacity (peak power and peak force through Wingate test), vertical jump height, and broad jump distance. Spearman correlations were used to evaluate correlations between FFM and performance …

Interleukin-6 As A Mediator Of Circadian And Sex Differences In Exercise-Induced Stat3 And Autophagy Signaling, Srushti Wagh, Ariana Khzarjyan, Joshua Corpuz, Elias M. Malek, Charli Aguilar, Michael Dial, Paula Martinez, Graham Mcginnis

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Circadian rhythms are highly conserved across tissues and play an important role in regulating how the heart responds to physiological and pathological stress. Exercise is known to be cardioprotective, yet the impact of exercise timing on molecular signaling is still being explored. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an exercise-induced cytokine which has been shown to be important to cardioprotection and metabolism. It is currently unknown how exercise timing modulates the IL-6 signaling pathway in the heart.

PURPOSE: To investigate how time-of-day and IL-6 influence exercise-induced activation of STAT3 and its downstream signaling pathways in male and female mouse hearts.

METHODS: Wild-type and …

Comparison Of Lower Limb Sagittal Plane Kinematics Measured Using Opencap And Traditional Mocap During Single Limb Squat Analysis In Patients Post-Aclr, Alexander Chen, Jiaqi Wang, Susan Sigward, Willa Ma, Grace Choi

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

OpenCap (Stanford University) uses standard smartphone cameras and computer vision algorithms to estimate joint kinematics without markers. With affordable equipment and reasonable setup procedures, it may provide an alternative to visual assessment of movement impairments in the clinic. Subtle alterations in joint kinematics can be relevant to the interpretation of recovery progress following musculoskeletal injury or surgery such as anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLr). It is important to understand the level of agreement between new tools for assessment and gold standard kinematic measures. PURPOSE: To determine concurrent validity of kinematic data collected using OpenCap and gold standard technologies during …

The Effect Of Fatigue On Hip, Knee, And Ankle Kinetics During Rear Foot-Elevated Split Squats, Sara C. Mills, Jaime Alvarado, Tyler Lindholm, Michele Leblanc Facsm

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Rear foot-elevated split squats (RFESS) are a widely used movement to increase lower body strength, but little is known about how fatigue alters joint torque demands across the ankle, knee, and hip. Previous research has shown that fatigue changes kinematics during RFESS, increasing hip and knee motion while reducing ankle movement, but the effect on joint torques remains unclear. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of fatigue on ankle, knee, and hip torque in the sagittal and frontal planes during the eccentric and concentric phases of the RFESS in active females aged 18–25. METHODS: Participants performed repeated body weight RFESS until …

High-Dose Sodium Supplementation On Hydration And Thermoregulatory Responses While Cycling In The Heat, Melani Kelly

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sodium is commonly included in sports beverages to promote hydration and support carbohydrate (CHO) absorption, typically at concentrations of ~270-400mg. Recently, high-dose sodium supplements, often approaching 1000mg and lacking CHO, have entered the market with minimal evidence to support their use. PURPOSE: Investigate how hydration and thermoregulatory responses change during cycling in the heat when consuming a supplement containing 810mg of sodium. METHODS: Twenty recreationally active participants (15 males, 5 females; age = 23.4 ± 2.8) completed a 2-h bout of cycling in an environmental chamber (37.3℃, 59.1 ± 4.4% relative humidity) on two occasions separated by > 7 …

Understanding The Effects Of Training On Brain And Muscle Hemodynamics During Exercise-Induced Muscle Fatigue, Aqueen Lenon, Christine Dy, Stefan Keslacy

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

BACKGROUND: While the muscle fatigue during weightlifting exercise is well-documented, the relationship of brain/muscle activity are less known. PURPOSE: to investigate the changes in oxygenation levels in the brain and muscles during resistance training, comparing these effects between athletes (ATH) and sedentary (SED) individuals. METHODS: 24 participants (14 SED, 10 ATH) were recruited. The bench press protocol included four sets of twelve repetitions at a weight corresponding to a Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) of 6. Oxygenation levels in prefrontal cortex and the right triceps muscle were continuously monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) (Oxymon Mk III). NIRS data …

Intensity Over Effort: Exercise Prescription Strategies For Glycemic Control, Oscar Chavez Jr., Marissa Ramirez, Jacob Dawes, Isaac Chapman, Kosar Valaei, Maja Gebauer, Christine Mermier, Jonathan Little Facsm, Luotao Lin, Gretchen Ray, Roberto M. Alvidrez, Zachary Mang, Fabiano T. Amorim, Valmor Tricoli, Flavio De Castro Magalhaes

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

ABSTRACT

Resistance exercise (RE) is effective in mitigating the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and prediabetes, but long-term adherence is low in these populations. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices are important tools in clinical practices to assist glycemic control. Previous meta-analysis shows the functionality of CGM devices among different exercise modalities but mentions the lack of studies with controlled diet and physical activity levels in free-living conditions. PURPOSE: To examine whether perceived effort during RE influences glycemic control and psychological outcomes in individuals with prediabetes and T2D using CGM under free-living conditions. METHODS: In randomized order, 25 …

Dexterity Assessment Scores Vary With Controller Type But Not Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Skill, Jacob D. Cervantes, Dillon Harris, Zachary R. Mcfadden, Steven B. Machek

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Within the expanding Esports industry, competitive Super Smash Bros Ultimate (SSBU) players require high neuromotor execution. They consequently select controllers and permit functional modifications to match the individual precision and dexterity preferences within their playstyle. PURPOSE: To examine how skill level and controller preference impact dexterity scores in SSBU players of differing skill relative to each other and non-gamers. METHODS: 56 (22 male casual CAS; 24y ± 4; play >4 hr per week, 15 male ES; 24y ± 4; top 150 globally- ranked competitive SSBU players, and 19 non-gamer controls NG; 24y ± 5; 16F/3M) subjects voluntarily participated …

Different Glycemic Control Responses In Women And Men With Type 2 Diabetes And Prediabetes To Resistance Exercise, Kosar Valaei, Oscar Chavez Jr., Marissa Ramirez, Jacob D. Dawes, Isaac Chapman, Maja Gebauer, Christine M. Mermier, Jonathan Little, Luotao Lin, Gretchen M. Ray, Roberto Mota, Zachary A. Mang, Fabiano Amorim, Valmor Tricoli, Flavio De Castro Magalhaes

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Resistance exercise (RE) is recommended for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and prediabetes to improve glycemic control, but sex differences remain unclear. PURPOSE: To investigate sex-related differences in glycemic responses to RE in individuals with T2D and prediabetes METHODS: Twenty-five participants (12 males, 13 females, 36–78 year) with T2D or prediabetes completed four randomized crossover sessions: a high-intensity (HI) RE session (3 sets × 8 reps, 75%-1RM, 120 seconds interval), a rest-redistribution (RR) RE session (6 sets × 4 reps, 75%-1RM, 60 seconds interval), a low-load (LL) RE session (3 sets × 16 reps, 37.5%-1RM, 103 seconds …

Trunk Rotational Range Of Motion And Abdominal Oblique Strength In High School And Collegiate Baseball Pitchers: Implications For Performance And Energy Flow, Belinda Aldern, Arnel Aguinaldo, Avery Takata, Antonio Squillante

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

BACKGROUND: Baseball pitching requires complex sequencing of the kinetic chain, with the trunk serving as an integral role for linking the lower body to the upper body. Despite past research on energy flow in pitching, there is an increased need to study age-specific performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in Trunk Rotational Range of Motion (TRROM) and Abdominal Oblique Strength (AOS) between high school and collegiate baseball pitchers and how these variables relate to performance and mechanical energy flow through the lumbosacral (L5S1) joint. METHODS: 12 High School and 12 Collegiate aged pitchers …

The Impact Of Emotional Factors On The Functioning Of Selected Muscles: Facial Muscles, Trapezius Muscle, Diaphragm And Therapy Suggestions For Physiotherapists. A Systematic Review, Kacper Chojowski, Wojciech Janik, Piotr Steuer, Maciej Tomik, Michał Kuszewski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Extensive research has identified muscles that are particularly susceptible to emotional stimuli, namely the facial muscles, trapezius, and diaphragm. These muscles can respond to emotional stimuli by affecting the viscoelastic properties of muscles, especially stiffness. This study attempts to identify suggestions in evidence-based physiotherapy (EBP) for treating muscles that are particularly susceptible to emotions. Materials and methods: In order to achieve the goals, studies available in PubMed, PEDro, and Elsevier and Springer databases were analyzed. In the critical literature review, the following word combinations were selected: "muscle psychological stress," "muscle tonus stress," "trapezius stress," "diaphragm stress," "facial muscles stress." …

Understanding Motivations And Health Outcomes Of College-Aged Triathletes During Covid-19: A Mixed-Methods Study, Patrick Wilson, Eddie Hill, Justin Haegele, Xihe Zhu

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

A triathlon is a multi-sport event that consists of three simultaneous events: swimming, biking, and running. This sport has experienced significant growth in the past few decades, with colleges and universities now participating. This exploratory mixed-methods study examined the motivations and perceived health benefits of college triathletes during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the Means-Ends of Recreation Scale and the Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation Scale (N = 29), as well as semi-structured interviews (N = 4). Results indicate no difference in motives or health outcomes between male and female survey respondents. The thematic analysis of open-ended interview questions highlighted lived …

Questioning Body-Normativity Dominance In Inclusive Physical Education: A Transgressive Analysis Through Bell Hooks' Perspectives, Maria Luiza Tanure Alves, Justin A. Haegele, Anthony Maher, Sebastian Ruin, Lesley Sharpe, Martina Giese, Janine Coates

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Grounded in Critical Disability Studies, this study examines how mechanisms of oppression are recurrently legitimized in relation to Disabled students in Physical Education (PE). Drawing on bell hooks’ perspective, this study explores recurring logics of domination, thereby deepening understandings of how oppression is produced and sustained in PE. Using a post-structuralist approach, we conducted qualitative interviews with nine PE teachers to examine the dominant beliefs and pedagogical practices that shape PE in relation to disability. Interview data were analyzed through interpretative discourse analysis, guided by Critical Disability Studies and informed by hooks’ critical insights on oppression. The findings suggest …

Association Of Aerobic Performance With Balance, Anaerobic Power, Agility, And Visual Reaction Time In Fencers, Aysel Gökçe Kurt, Manolya Acar

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic performance on balance, anaerobic power, agility, and visual reaction in fencers and was designed as a prospective cohort study. Materials and methods: This study involved 26 fencing athletes (age = 20.35 ± 5.12 years, sports experience: 8.44 ± 4.33 years). The 20-m shuttle test, the vertical jump test, the Y-balance test, the fencing-specific 4-2-2-4 forward-back step method, and the Nelson hand reaction test were used to evaluate aerobic performance, anaerobic performance, balance, agility-change of direction, and visual reaction, respectively. Results: The maximum oxygen consumption determined with a use of the …

The Impact Of Exercise On Albuminuria And Kidney Function In The 2nd And 3rd Trimesters Of Physiological Pregnancy, Wojciech Wołyniec, Andrzej Kochanowicz, Jan Mieszkowski, Łukasz Radzimiński, Marcin Renke, Anna Szumilewicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Physical activity is an important part of healthy lifestyle and should be continued during low-risk pregnancy. Several studies have suggested that most pregnant women had no contraindications to perform exercises. The aim of the study was to assess the acute effect of an exercise test up to refusal and a chronic impact of an 8-week HIIT program on albuminuria and kidney function in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Material and Methods: A group of 36 pregnant women was studied. At the beginning of the study, all participants had normal kidney function and albuminuria at rest. Nineteen women …

Physical Performance Differences Between Top And First League Female Football Players: Insights From Locomotion Metrics, Mariola Gepfert, Artur Gołaś, Miłosz Drozd, Katarzyna Strońska-Grabień, Piotr Sawicki, Ewelina Lulińska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This study aims to compare locomotion metrics between Poland’s Top League and First League at the team level using 10 Hz GPS. Methods: Team-level match data (autumn round) were analysed. The following metrics were computed: total distance, high-speed running (HSR: 19–23 km·h⁻¹ [5.28–6.39 m·s⁻¹]), sprinting (> 23 km·h⁻¹ [> 6.39 m·s⁻¹]), accelerations and decelerations at two thresholds (> 3.0 and > 4.0 m·s⁻²), and Player Load (arbitrary units, tri-axial accelerometry). Between-league differences were tested with Mann–Whitney U; rank-biserial effect sizes were reported. Results: Top League teams covered more sprint and HSR distance and performed more ACC/DEC at both thresholds (all …

The Effects Of Kanpu Masatsu On Sleep Quality And Fatigue Among Older Adults, Aidan Miranda, Yessica Luna Beltran

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sleep quality is crucial for overall health, particularly among older adults. Kanpu Masatsu (KM), a traditional Japanese self-massage technique using dry towels, has been associated with health benefits for this population. PURPOSE: This study explores the effects of performing Kanpu Masatsu before bedtime on sleep quality and fatigue levels. METHODS: Twelve healthy older adults (3 men and 9 women; age 60.67 ± 1.69 years) were recruited to monitor their sleep over 14 days using a Fitbit Sense 2. During the second week, participants performed a whole-body Kanpu Masatsu within 10 minutes before sleep. Sleep quality was assessed via Fitbit’s sleep …

Accuracy Of The Garmin Instinct For Heart Rate Monitoring During Forearm Exercise With And Without Blood Flow Restriction, Danilo Dullas, Clifford Sanders, Yahtziri Martinez, Tevin Perez, Alana Tucker, Amelia Wolfe, Juni Timmins, Catalina M. Kerwin, Kynlee Sperry, Cannon Jones, Heather Zent, Sam Brinkerhoff, Setareh Zarei, Jeff Guzman, Rodolfo I. Mejia, Nathaniel Bodell, James W. Navalta, Merrill Funk, Jeffrey Cowley, Marcus M. Lawrence

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Wearable devices are widely used to monitor heart rate (HR) during exercise, but their accuracy under blood flow restriction (BFR) remains uncertain. Because BFR is increasingly applied in rehabilitation and strength training, accurate HR monitoring is essential for both safety and prescription. The PURPOSE of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the Garmin Instinct smartwatch for measuring HR during forearm exercise with and without BFR, compared to a chest-strap criterion device. METHODS: Twenty-three healthy adults (9 females, 14 males; mean age = 24.74 ± 8.19 years) participated in a repeated-measures design. After providing consent and being fitted with …

Validity Of The Polar Verity Sense In Measuring Heart Rate During A Hand Grip Assessment With Blood Flow Restriction, Jeff Guzman, James W. Navalta, Marcus M. Lawrence, Nathaniel Bodell, Jeffrey Cowley, Setareh Zarei, Rodolfo I. Mejia, Catalina M. Kerwin, Kynlee Sperry, Juni Timmins, Cannon Jones, Sam Brinkerhoff, Danilo Dullas, Clifford Sanders, Yahtziri Martinez, Tevin Perez, Alana Tucker, Amelia Wolfe, Merrill Funk

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Blood flow restriction (BFR) training has acquired significant attention in rehabilitation and performance sciences. Polar is a popular heart rate (HR) device manufacturer, Polar Electro OY. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of HR from the Polar Verity Sense biceps band vs the Polar H10 chest strap during a hand grip assessment with blood flow restriction. METHODS: Twenty-three adults (9 females, 14 males, Identified otherwise n = 0; age=24.74±8.19 years, height = 172 cm (SD =9) Mass = 79kg (SD= 18.5) were recruited via convenience sampling. Participants were asked to do a warm-up including 5-min …

Upper-Body Post-Activation Performance Enhancement In Mma Athletes: Load-Dependent Effects Across Multiple Explosive Tasks, Jan Strawiński, Dariusz T. Skalski, Magdalena Prończuk, Kinga Łosińska, Ewelina Lulińska, Miłosz Drozd, Maciej Kostrzewa, Adam Maszczyk, Robert K. Roczniok

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) has become a recognized method for acutely improving explosive output, particularly relevant to upper-body performance in combat sports. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bench press conditioning activities (CAs) at different intensities (50 %, 65 %, and 80 % 1RM) on upper-body explosive performance in mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes, with emphasis on training status. Methods: Twenty-nine male MMA athletes were divided into intermediate (n = 14) and advanced (n = 15) groups. Each participant completed three CA sessions followed by a 4-minute recovery and then performed a plyometric push-up …

Athletic Participation Among Students And Its Correlation To Increased Outcomes In Academic Performance, Benjamin Carl Anderson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study investigated the correlation between student participation in athletic-based extracurricular activities and academic performance among high school students in rural Indiana. The research sought to determine whether athletic involvement contributes to academic success indicators such as PSAT and SAT scores, and school attendance. The study looked at how athletics can serve as a lever for improving academic outcomes and supporting students in meeting the criteria for postsecondary readiness. Key research questions explored the influence of gender, ethnicity, grade level, and attendance on academic performance within the subset of students participating in athletics. A review of the literature supported …

Managing User Conflicts In A Water Aerobics Program On Behalf Of A Veteran’S Group: A Short Case Study, Hadley Blankenship, Steven N. Waller Ph.D., Jason L. Scott

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This article captures an experience in conflict management that happened during the summer of 2024 as a recreational therapy intern with an adaptive sport and recreation organization located in the Southeastern United States. The backdrop to the case is that a recreational therapy intern worked with various special needs populations – mainly with paraplegic (adult and youth) athletes and veterans. In many organizations, user conflicts and poor communication regarding service provision and scheduling hinder the implementation of programs for special populations, such as veteran groups. In this case, a problem occurred with the scheduling of a water aerobics program for …

Curbing Fatal And Non-Fatal Drowning Deaths: An Effort To Reach Under-Resourced Children In Baltimore, Maryland, Ashton P. Christo, William D. Ramos

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Drowning remains a significant public health problem in the United States, with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting approximately 4,000 drowning deaths annually. Children aged 1-4 face the highest risk, and African American children are disproportionately affected–7.6 times more likely to drown than white children (CDC, 2024). In a city on the East Coast that is predominantly African American, limited access to swimming lessons heightens the risk. To reduce drowning rates, a collaborative swimming program was established between a city high school and a public school enrichment program. The initiative provided essential water safety and swimming skills …

Diversity In Aquatics:4th Special Issue, Tiffany M. Quash Ph.D., Angela K. Beale-Tawfeeq, Steven N. Waller Ph.D.

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The theme of this special issue is “Building a Community of Champions.” The purpose of this theme is to highlight and promote a civic engagement perspective that engages, advocates, and supports communities of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in addressing the national, regional, and local evolving health-related issue of drowning. Aquatic Settings have been a pivotal focal point of social justice, water safety, and public health, not only in the past but also in our present day (Beale-Tawfeeq, Quash, et al, 2023 and Waller and Bemiller, 2023). Diversity In Aquatics (DIA) strives to positively impact the field of aquatics …

If We Tear It Down, We Might Build You A New One: The Troublesome Use Of Eminent Domain And Urban Neighborhood Swimming Pools, Steven N. Waller Ph.D., James H. Bemiller

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Public swimming pools are a vital part of America’s recreation and sport culture since the early 1900’s. Municipal swimming pools were initially built to provide recreation and hygiene to urban communities, regardless of race or class. However, a complex history of segregation, civil unrest, suburbanization, and funding challenges has resulted in a significant decline in public pools, depriving many communities of vital recreational spaces. In many communities, options for sustaining the operation of swimming pools have resulted in pool closures. Unfortunately, once swimming pools close, especially those in aging neighborhoods in central city areas, they are seldom resurrected. They quickly …

Teaching Swimming To Children With Disabilities: A Qualitative Analysis Of Swim Instructorstea, Stephanie S. Garcia-Hidalgo, Martin E. Block

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

When teaching children with disabilities, swim instructors need to be able to assess the unique strengths and needs of each child to determine modifications needed to instruction, equipment, and the setting and then be flexible enough to make changes in real-time to ensure success for the child. Unfortunately, many swim instructors only work seasonally and have the occasional child with a disability, and as a result are likely to have limited training and experiences with children with disabilities. The purpose of this pilot qualitative study is to examine backgrounds, training, and experiences of six swim instructors who work with children …