Body shape affects the capacity and efficiency of swimming in fishes, and places constraints on foraging and reproductive performance. Hence, fitness components, such as aerobic swimming capacity and efficiency, can be determined from analysis of swimming energetics using active respirometry. In particular, body shape adaptations, such as streamlining, aim at reducing hydrodynamic drag (resistance), thereby increasing swimming efficiency in the presence of water flow, which is a principal contributor to resistance for fish inhabiting rivers. For two populations of bluegill sunfish, one from the Brazos River and the other from Moelman’s Slough (a Brazos River oxbow lake), the metabolic transport rate (MTR) was determined to evaluate differences in swimming efficiency. The standard cost of swimming (SCOS) was also determined to evaluate differences in swimming capacity, which represents the overall capacity of the skeletal muscles to generate mechanical power to overcome hydrodynamic resistance. The MTR and the SCOS describe holistic swimming performance, where the MTR specifies the hydrodynamic response due to swimming, and the SCOS specifies the physiologic response due to swimming. The differences in swimming performance are mainly attributed to factors affecting hydrodynamic resistance and could be predicted by morphology; because body shape, like water flow, is also a principal contributor to resistance. Multivariate body shape, from generalized Procrustes analysis, was used to assess the influence of multiple shape traits on swimming costs. This measure of shape related to swimming performance using partial least-squares analysis showed the two bluegill populations to be significantly different. The results were as follows: the shallow-bodied condition in bluegills was highly correlated with efficient swimming and low swimming capacities; whereas, deep-bodied bluegills were highly correlated with inefficient swimming and high swimming capacities. This is an empirical case of divergent natural selection. For convergence, however, the position of the caudal peduncle is consistent with optimal swimming speed (Um), which depends on standard metabolic rate (SMR), or metabolic maintenance. Bluegills with erect caudal peduncles have a high range of swimming speeds without suffering much cost of swimming ability compared to bluegills with prone caudal peduncles. The adaptive physiological response to high Um is due to a low SCOS because swimming efficiency is low and metabolic maintenance is high. In other words, bluegills that are inefficient swimmers and require a high energy intake cannot survive unless they gain the ability to increase their foraging capacity by thrust or metabolic power reduction. This is perhaps one of the most remarkable adaptive physiological responses due to the joint effects of shape and SMR.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Glasgow, 2008. / Ph.D. thesis submitted to the Division of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 2008. Includes bibliographical references. Print version also available.

Thesis (M.S.)--Worcester Polytechnic Institute. / Keywords: aggression; swimming performance; assessment. Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-39).

Youth sports today often mimic professional versions of the sport. Combined with the competitive nature of society, youth sports have become a place where there are few winners and numerous losers. Additionally, many youth sport programs lack the fun, playful elements that used to be prevalent in informal sports. This study uses conjoint analysis to examine parents’ and children’s preferences for coaching methods (intervals, stroke drills, relays, and challenges), hedonic social activities (fun games, parties, and social events), and extrinsic rewards (best time ribbons, place ribbons, and participation ribbons) in a youth swim team program. The conjoint analysis offers insight about which coaching methods, hedonic social activities, and extrinsic rewards are preferred and acceptable to parents and children. Parents and children had similar preferences with their main desire being for the child to learn how to swim. Results indicate that parents and children are socialized into a belief of what sports programs should encompass and that current youth swim team programs are not serving all children. / text

Worldwide, drowning is the third leading cause of death among children. In Asia it is the first leading cause of death and a major public health threat. The objective of this paper was to develop a drowning prevention program including swimming training, CPR and lifesaving methods for children and to evaluate it. This intervention was provided and evaluated in Thailand where drowning is the first leading cause of death among children. The study used observations, quantitative and qualitative methods. In total 20 children in the age of seven to ten, from Nan Province in northern Thailand were participating.The result of this intervention is that the children are highly capable to learn swimming, CPR and lifesaving activities within 10 days. Out of 20 participants all have successfully completed the swimming, CPR and lifesaving programs.The conclusion of this intervention study can be sum up by both the interventions result, the questionnaires and the independent evaluators is that swimming program as this one is highly needed for saving lives. Support from the local as well as the central authority is also needed. Therefore such swimming program shows the importance of swimming knowledge and water security to prevent drowning in near future.

Age is the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and this is attributable in part to stiffening of large elastic arteries and development of vascular endothelial dysfunction. In contrast, regular aerobic exercise is associated with reduced risk of CVD. Swimming is an attractive form of aerobic exercise and always recommended for health promotion as well as prevention and treatment of risk factors for CVD. However, there is little scientific evidence to date indicating that swimming is equally efficacious to land-based exercise modes in reducing cardiovascular risks. Accordingly, the aim of the research was to determine the role of regular swimming exercise on both CVD traditional risk factors and vascular functions. To comprehensively address this aim, 2 different approaches were used: Study 1 (cross-sectional study) was designed to determine the potential benefit of regular swimming exercise in the primary prevention of age-related decreases in vascular function. Key measurements of vascular function were performed in middle-aged and older swimmers, runners, and sedentary controls. Central arterial compliance was higher in swimmers and runners than in sedentary controls. Study 2 (intervention study) was designed to determine whether regular swimming exercise could reverse the age-associated decline in vascular function. Middle-aged and older subjects completed either a 12-week swim training program or relaxation/ stretching exercise (attention control) program. Short-term swim training improved arterial blood pressure and vascular functions. In summary, regular swimming exercise can attenuate reductions in and partially restore the loss of vascular function including central arterial compliance and endothelial function in middle-aged and older adults. Swimming exercise exhibited typical central arterial compliance and endothelial function phenotypes that are often displayed in land-based exercise. / text

Noroviruses are the leading cause of gastroenteritis in the United States, causing an estimated 23 million illnesses, 50,000 hospitalizations and 300 deaths per year. This virus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and infections can occur from drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food, contact with contaminated fomites, inhalation of aerosolized vomitus, or person to person spread. Outbreaks of norovirus following exposure to contaminated recreational water have been documented, as swimmers and others engaged in water recreation often consume recreational water, either purposefully or accidentally, during their activities. In Arizona there have been several outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis among people using the recreational waters. In the past four years there have been four consecutive outbreaks of norovirus among rafters on the Colorado River, and in 2003 there was an outbreak of norovirus among a large group of houseboaters on Lake Powell.Norovirus is an emerging pathogen in the state of Arizona. In an effort to better understand its epidemiology, and with the aim of providing recommendations for prevention or minimization of future outbreaks, two investigations were undertaken: an investigation of the outbreak of norovirus among houseboaters on Lake Powell, and a survey of water quality and possible sources of norovirus in the Colorado River. Additionally, historical Colorado River water quality data was reviewed and outbreak epidemiology assessed. To better understand the role of viruses in waterborne recreational disease outbreaks, a review of the literature was conducted and an analysis of 48 recreational waterborne disease outbreaks was done.

Šiai dienai ypač didelis dėmesys skiriamas vaikų su įvairiomis negaliomis integracijai į visuomenę. Negalios socialiniai vaizdiniai praėję permainingą raidos kelią atitinkamai suformavo ir šiandien Lietuvos visuomenėje bei tarp specialistų esančius negalios socialinius vaizdinius. Per kelerius pastaruosius metus Lietuvoje plačiai pasklido socialinės integracijos idėjos, kurios Vakarų visuomenėje formavosi beveik pusę amžiaus. Neįgaliųjų plaukimo ugdymas neatsiejama mokymo dalis ir labai svarbi veikla, kuri kartu atlieka ir terapinį pobūdį. Tikslas – įvertinti įgaliųjų ir neįgaliųjų su klausos sutrikimais plaukimo nugara mokymo efektyvumą, taikant individualią pedagoginio stebėjimo schemą. Uždaviniai: Nustatyti plaukimo būdo nugara pedagoginio stebėjimo schemos vertinimą, taikant ekspertų metodą; Ištirti teorinės paskaitos efektyvumą, taikant pedagoginio stebėjimo schemą. Atlikti praktinius plaukimo būdo nugara individualų technikos vertinimą, remiantis pedagoginio stebėjimo schema. Įvertinti individualaus mokymo poveikį įgaliųjų ir neįgaliųjų su klausos sutrikimais plaukimo nugara technikos įsisavinimui. Tiriamieji: Tyrime dalyvavo 27 studentai, 6 turintys klausos sutrikimus, 18 vaikinų ir 9 merginos. Problema: Įgūdžių mokymas vandenyje yra ganėtinai apsunkintas, kadangi atsiranda šalutinis dirgiklis – vanduo. Norint įgūdžių mokymą padaryti kuo efektyvesnį, dirbant su klausos sutrikimus turinčiais žmonėmis, reikia visą dėmesį skirti individualiam mokymosi metodui. ... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Many scientists are interested in aspects of integrated physical education for students with special needs. The world‘s experience proofs, that many disables can take part in swimming sport. We couldn‘t find any researches about teaching swimming methods for disables who have problems with hearing, individualizing education process. Aim – to assess efficient of swimming on the back for able and disables who have hearing problems, applying chart of individual educate observe. Propositions: To establish the rate of chart of swimming on the back, applying method of experts; Analyze theory lecture efficient, applying chart of educate observe; According to chart of educate observe to conduct utility rate of swimming on the back technique. To estimate the effect of individual studying for able and disables who have hearing problems technique of swimming on the back assimilation. Participates: 27 students took part in research, 6 of them had problems with hearing. 18 males and 9 females. Problem: Skills teaching in water is more difficult because water is minor annoy.If you want to make skills teaching more effective, you have to give all the attention to individual method of studying, when you work with people who have problems with hearing. Hypothesis: Using the chart of swimming on the back technique it is easier to point particular mistakes and rather assimilate the correct technique, especially for disables who have hearing problems. Applying the chart of educate... [to full text]

The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the effects of implementing a pictographic schedule within a currently structured swimming class consisting of individuals diagnosed with autism. Three boys (11 to 17 years) enrolled at a school for children with developmental disabilities served as participants. A time-series design was used to assess the effects of the pictographic activity schedules on the variables of time on-task, time off-task, and inappropriate response time in the activity setting, while rates of inappropriate behaviour were examined within the associated changeroom setting prior to and following the activity setting. The results indicated that activity schedules, when implemented in a physical activity setting, increase time on-task and decrease inappropriate response time in children with autism. In addition, when compared to periods of no schedule-use, activity schedules assisted in the reduction of rates of inappropriate behaviour within settings prior to and following activity sessions. Findings for the variable of time off-task yielded inconclusive results. The implications of these findings show the importance of visual activity schedules within all domains of education, including those involving physical activity.

No description available.