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Kano H, Ebara T, Matsuki T, Tamada H, Yamada Y, Kato S, Kaneko K, Matsuzaki K, Sato H, Minato K, Sugiura-Ogasawara M, Saitoh S, Kamijima M. Effect of swimming initiation period and continuation frequency on motor competence development in children aged up to 3 years: the Japan environment and children's study. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2024; 16:192. [PMID: 39285428 PMCID: PMC11406841 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-024-00980-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although involvement of toddlers in swimming activities has increased recently, information regarding the impact of swimming during toddlerhood on subsequent child motor competence development is scarce. This study aimed to determine how swimming experience, particularly the timing of initiation and the continuity of swimming activities up to the age of 3 years, affects motor competence development. METHODS This prospective cohort study included data on children aged 1.5 and 3 years (100,286 mother-child pairs) from the Japan Environment and Children's Study. The outcomes measured were gross and fine motor function, using the Japanese version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (Third edition). We assessed how these functions correlated with the continuous pattern of swimming pool use frequency from age 1 up to 3 years. RESULTS The group that used a swimming pool once a month or more from age 1-1.5 years but stopped from age 2-3 years showed consistently significant negative associations with gross motor development delay (minimum adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60-0.73) and fine motor development delay (minimum aOR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.58-0.76). The group that continued swimming once a month or more from age 1-3 years showed consistently significant negative associations with gross motor development delay (minimum aOR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.54-0.75) and fine motor development delay (minimum aOR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.31-0.55). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that swimming experience starting around age 1 year is positively associated with gross and fine motor function development. The beneficial impact on gross motor function persisted from age 1-3 years. In contrast, the effects on fine motor function were not evident until age ≥ 2.5 years after starting swimming at approximately age 1 year. These findings underscore the potential benefits of early swimming experiences in enhancing overall motor skills development during early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohisa Kano
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
- School of Health and Sport Sciences, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodachi, Kaizu-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 470- 0393, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ebara
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan.
- Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, 807-8555, Japan.
| | - Taro Matsuki
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hiroshima International University, 555-36 Kurosegakuendai, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-2695, Japan
| | - Hazuki Tamada
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
- Faculty of Food and Health Sciences, Aichi Shukutoku University, 2-9 Katahira, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1197, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Yamada
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
- Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, 1-1 Hiraka-gakuendai, Inzai, Chiba, 270-1695, Japan
| | - Sayaka Kato
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
| | - Kayo Kaneko
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
| | - Kazuki Matsuzaki
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Japan University of Health Sciences, 1961-2 Satte, Satte, Saitama, 340-0113, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Sato
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
| | - Kyoko Minato
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
| | - Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
| | - Shinji Saitoh
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
| | - Michihiro Kamijima
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-0001, Japan
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Yu Y, Xia L, Yan H, Lu Y. Effects of 8 weeks parent-accompanied swimming on physical capacity and intelligence in preschool children. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1410707. [PMID: 38883199 PMCID: PMC11176541 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1410707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the potential effects of 8-week parents-accompanied swimming on the physical capacity and intelligence of preschool children in China. Thirty-six boys (mean age 3.56 ± 0.27 years) were divided into three groups: the traditional physical exercise group (TP, n = 12), the accompanied swimming group (AS, n = 12) and the independent swimming group (IS, n = 12). Participants' physical capacity was assessed before and after the intervention using the following indicators: height, weight, distance of tennis ball throw, standing long jump distance, time for the 10-meter shuttle run, time for a two-legged continuous jump, sit-and-reach distance, and time on the walking balance beam. Intelligence was assessed at three points: pre-test, mid-test after 4 weeks, and post-test. Data were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, Bonferroni test (p < 0.05) and effect size. The time of the AS and IS groups to walk the balance beam was significantly lower than the TP group, with a difference of 1.81 s (p < 0.01, [95% CI -3.22 to -0.40], ES = 1.53) and 1.25 s (p < 0.05, [95% CI -2.66 to 0.16], ES = 0.81). At the mid-test, the IQ scores of the TP group were lower than the AS group (p < 0.05, [95% CI -12.45 to -0.96], ES = 0.89). Additionally, at post-test, the IQ scores of the TP group were significantly lower than those of both AS (p < 0.01, [95% CI -14.12 to -2.74], ES = 1.15) and IS groups (p < 0.01, [95% CI -12.53 to -3.31], ES = 1.21). Swimming enhances children's balance and IQ scores more than traditional physical exercises. Involving parents in swimming leads to a more significant increase in IQ scores within 4 weeks of initial swimming exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Yu
- The School of Sports Coaching, Beijing Sports University, Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation of General Administration of Sport, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Xia
- Shenzhen School Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- The School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sports University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiping Yan
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation of General Administration of Sport, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
- The School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sports University, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Lu
- Laboratory of Sports Stress and Adaptation of General Administration of Sport, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China
- The School of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing Sports University, Beijing, China
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Burnay C, Anderson DI, Button C, Cordovil R. Effect of baby swimming lessons on infants' avoidance of bodies of water. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22434. [PMID: 38010302 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite the popularity of infant swimming programs, no evidence exists to determine whether they influence infants' judgments and behavior when confronted with bodies of water. We conducted two separate studies examining if the total number of swimming sessions an infant participated in predicted whether they avoided a body of water they could enter via an edge (Study 1-Water Cliff: n = 101 infants) or a slope (Study 2-Water Slope: n = 77 infants). The results revealed a significant interaction between number of sessions and type of entry into the water. Infants who participated in 10 or more sessions were more likely to avoid falling on the edge leading into the water but entered the water significantly more if they could access it via a slope. These findings suggest that while experience in baby swimming programs can promoted more adaptive behaviors on drop-offs leading into bodies of water, sloped entries may heighten drowning risks for young children with greater familiarity with water. Because we tested the two groups of infants in different countries, further research is warranted to determine if cultural differences in child rearing practices or variations in the content and/or teaching of the swimming programs might explain these intriguing findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Burnay
- Laboratory of Motor Behaviour, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
- Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - David I Anderson
- Marian Wright Edelman Institute, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Chris Button
- School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rita Cordovil
- Laboratory of Motor Behaviour, CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
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Santos C, Burnay C, Button C, Cordovil R. Effects of Exposure to Formal Aquatic Activities on Babies Younger Than 36 Months: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5610. [PMID: 37107892 PMCID: PMC10138400 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review investigated the possible effects of exposing infants to formal activities in aquatic environments. A literature search of eight databases was concluded on 12 December 2022. Studies were eligible if they: (i) focused on 0-36 months of age infants, (ii) addressed the exposure of infants to formal aquatic activities, and (iii) compared the 'same condition of aquatic exposure with the control' or 'before and after exposure'. The PRISMA protocol was used. Articles considered for inclusion (n = 18) were clustered in the health, development, and physiological outcome domains. The results show that research is focused on indoor activities, mainly in baby swimming programs and baby aquatic therapy interventions. Swimming and aquatic therapy practices are generally safe for babies' health, and there are benefits to preterm and newborns exposed to aquatic therapy once the physiological parameters are maintained in normal and safe patterns. A positive effect is also suggested in general gross and fine motor skills, visual motion perception, cognitive flexibility, and response selection accuracy for infants who participated in aquatic programs. Further investigation with high-quality experimental designs is required to establish the effect of exposure of infants to formal aquatic activities (Systematic Review Registration: CRD42021248054).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Santos
- Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
| | - Carolina Burnay
- Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Human Performance (CIPER), Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
- School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Chris Button
- School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Rita Cordovil
- Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Human Performance (CIPER), Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
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