Inclusive Aquatics: Benefits and Opportunities for All

1. Chapter14 Inclusive Aquatics chapter 14 Inclusive Aquatics Author name here for Edited books MaryBeth Pappas Baun

2. I can’t fly but I can swim, and that’s the next best thing! The water is my sky. –Unknown

3. Aquatics • Aquatic environments offer benefits: • Fun and enjoyment • Accommodation • Creativity • Cross-training • Movement in water • Liberates the body • Enhances function and well-being • Allows playfulness and exhilaration that are often elusive on land

4. Benefits of Participation • The equalizing environment of water • Can be partial or full immersion • This main benefit creates access to countless other benefits that come from inclusive aquatics • Other factors facilitating inclusion • Preparation of coaches and instructors • Ease of entering the facility and pool • Pool temperature • Array and type of exercise and swimming equipment • Inform and educate all parties

5. Physical Benefits • Hydrodynamic properties enhance these factors: • Safety and function of participant • Enjoyment and comfort • Relaxation and fitness • Immersion transfers heat to the body: • 92-96°: relieves pain, increases ROM • 83-88°: arthritis and fibromyalgia relief • 83-86°: prevents arrhythmias

6. Cognitive and Intellectual Benefits • Motivates via a stimulating environment • Studies suggest the following: • Improved cognition in people with fibromyalgia • Reduced depression and anxiety • Improved swimming skills in kids with autism • Teaching multiple steps or tasks to kids with autism

7. Psychosocial Benefits • Water creates an opportunity to socialize. • Easier movement in water creates sense of independence and control. • It creates opportunities for success. • Improves body image and self-esteem. • Enhances sense of meaning and purpose.

8. Apprehensions • Concern for wearing a swimsuit in public. • Addressing this concern: • Acknowledge it with respect. • Ask questions to explore solutions. • Common solutions: • Talking it through and realizing similar discomforts among other swimmers in the group are often enough. • Shorts and a top work for some. • Swimwear policy should be flexible but safe. • Do gender-specific activities.

9. Safe, Successful, and Rewarding Programs • Instructor training and credentialing • Coaching and communication skills • Collaboration, integration, and promotion

10. Instructor Training and Credentialing • The key factor to inclusion is the instructor • Knowledge • Beliefs • Attitudes • Additional considerations: • Availability of the right kinds of equipment • High-quality, hands-on training

11. Training Instructors • In a study of physical educators, hands-on training ranks as the most valuable knowledge source for • teaching students with disabilities, and • combining people with diverse needs and backgrounds into group programs. • Training sources and resources: • AAPAR, YMCA • Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA) • Arthritis Foundation • Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute (ATRI)

12. Coaching Communication Skills • Listening is the most important skill. • Start with a welcoming, accepting attitude • Ask open-ended questions • Use the answers to form your next question • Go over what you expect from each other. • Together as equals • Share the planning (continued)

13. Coaching Communication Skills (continued) • Answer questions with patience. • Communicate at eye level. • Make contact when appropriate. • Prepare, know procedures and equipment. • Build trust and rapport through respect. • Be prepared for communication challenges.

14. Collaboration, Integration, and Program Promotion • Critical areas of support • Resource support • Technical support • Moral support • Suggestions • Identify and inventory stakeholders and champions • Identify your community service resources • Collaboration with educational institutions • Establish mentor programs • Seek out experts

15. Effects of Legislation • Americans with Disabilities Act • Requires reasonable accommodation • Policies, facilities, and programs must be accessible • Reasonable accommodations • Must not place undue hardship on organization • Pools must be readily accessible • Accommodations must be readily achievable

16. Exceptions to Reasonable Accommodation • Person does not meet the criteria of a qualified individual with a disability. • Person does not meet the qualifications to participate in the activity. • Person creates reasonable probability of substantial risk to self or others. • Modifications significantly alter the nature of the program.

17. Pool Access • Key resource: Accessible Swimming Pools and Spas: A Summary of Accessibility Guidelines for Recreation Facilities (United States Access Board, 2003) • Examples of entry guidelines: • Pools with less than 300 linear feet of pool wall • Pools with more than 200 linear feet of pool wall • Spas • Wave action pools or leisure rivers • Wading pools

18. Transfer Considerations • Safety is always first. • Use proper equipment. • Ensure proper body mechanics. • Assess person and circumstance every time. • Always give a heads-up. • Afterward, ensure comfort, correct position.

19. Pool Entry and Pool Lifts • Sloped entries • Gradually sloping stairs • Portable and permanent lift devices • Portable stairs • Aquatek platforms

20. Surrounding Environment • Accessible routes on deck space • Clear deck space next to lifts • Clear deck space near transfer walls • Go beyond the legal requirement • Proactively examine the environment

21. Temperature and Humidity • Temps greater than 88° not appropriate for cardiovascular or aerobic activity • Nonaerobic ROM activities can be done in water 94° to 104° • People with MS: exercise in cool water (80-85°); warm water exacerbates symptoms • 80° for pregnant women to keep core temp at a safe and comfortable range

22. Risk Management and Accommodation • Locker rooms and restrooms • The aquatic environment • Special accommodations

23. Hydrodynamics • Buoyancy • Movement of force, viscosity, and hydrostatic pressure • Eddy drag

24. Positioning, Stabilization, and Form • Buoyancy can alter posture • Risk groups for compromised posture: • People with weak core muscle strength • Atypical body posture • High percentage or atypical distribution of body fat • Increases lordotic curve (arch in low back) • Teach braced neutral position to limit risk of back and neck complications

25. Braced Neutral Position • Contract abs from pelvis to breastbone. • Avoid tipping the pelvis under. • Keep shoulders back and down to open the chest. • Keep the head level. • Breathe deeply while stabilizing. • Practice moving around the pool while maintaining the braced neutral position. • See figure 14.3.

26. Figure 14.3 Figure 14.3 The braced neutral position helps prevent and overcome back, hip, and knee pain and is the foundation for all standing and flotation aquatic activities and exercises. a b

27. Using Hydrodynamics • Both safely and effectively • Increasing resistance • Increase speed • Use water-resistant equipment • Use correct amount of resistance • Use the FITT acronym • Frequency, intensity, type, time • Adjust only one element at a time

28. Aquatic Workout Structure • Thermal warm-up • Warm-up stretch • Aerobic exercise • Muscle and strength endurance • Final cool-down stretch

29. Contraindicating Conditions • Fever • Urinary infection • Open wound • Infectious disease that is transmittable through water or with casual contact

30. Safety and Injury Prevention • Protect the body from injury. • Use the braced neutral position to stabilize posture. • Return to this position frequently. • Breathe properly. • Avoid hyperextension of joints. • Maintain balance. • Bring heels all the way down to pool floor. (continued)

31. Safety and Injury Prevention (continued) • Assess breathing to monitor intensity. • Use the talk test. • Keep muscles warm during stretching. • Avoid bouncing stretches during warm-up and cool-down. (continued)

32. Safety and Injury Prevention (continued) • Increase challenge gradually. • Exercise muscles evenly. • Protect the wrist joint. • Avoid eating 90 minutes before activity. • Prevent chlorine irritation by showering with soap before entering pool. • Drink water.

33. Aquatic Exercise for Health and Rehabilitation • Aquatic principles are used as therapy: • Balance • Strength and core stability • Flexibility • Coordination and movement skills • Cardiopulmonary function • Watsu is an example. • Minimization of pressure on joints is the key advantage of aquatic rehabilitation.

34. Watsu session.

35. Summary • Aquatic environment is dynamically empowering. • Aquatic staff can use this environment to create a culture of acceptance. • Knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to aquatics and inclusion are key to success. • Benefits to all mirror the definition of health and well-being.