CHAPTER
25
Aquatics
Monica Lepore
Chapter 25 Aquatics
Adapted Aquatics
• Is not a related service.
• Is not aquatherapy, hydrotherapy, or
aquatic therapy.
(continued)
Adapted Aquatics (continued)
• Involves modifications to the aquatic
environment, skills, facilities, equipment,
and instructional strategies.
• Involves educational and recreational uses
of aquatics.
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
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.
Psychosocial Benefits
of Adapted Aquatics
• Improves self-awareness.
• Boosts morale.
• Improves independence.
• Provides motivation to improve physical
fitness.
Decreasing Fear
in Reluctant Participants
• Allow reluctant participants extra time for
water-acclimation activities.
• Use patience without pampering.
• Gently guide; don’t force.
• Explain everything in a calm, quiet, matterof-fact voice.
• Teach in shallow water (e.g., on pool steps,
water tables, or in-water docks) or on a
gradually sloping ramp.
(continued)
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 swimmer’s
favorite food.
• Use the swimmer’s name frequently; smile
and praise small steps in the progression of
water adjustment.
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.
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)
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)?
What the Instructor May Need to Do
• Adjust the swimmer’s body position by
adding flotation or light weights.
• Change the propulsive action of the arms or
legs.
• Adapt the breathing pattern.
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)
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
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)
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
Examples of Modifications
for Competitive Swimming Adaptations
(from USA Swimming, 2008)
• Allowing the swimmer to start in the water
• Allowing the swimmer’s 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)
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