THE USE OF PERFORMANCE ENHANCING SWIMWEAR DURING AQUA THERAPY FOR CEREBRAL PALSY – A CASE STUDY
Kangas, Emmi-Sofia (2016)
Kangas, Emmi-Sofia
Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016112116690
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016112116690
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of the thesis was to study the effects of the use of performance enhancing swimwear on a client with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This was done by interviewing a client with Spastic Diplegic CP who uses performance enhancing swimwear during aqua therapy sessions with her physiotherapist. For additional insight about the use of the swimwear the physiotherapist was also interviewed.
CP is the most common motor disability in childhood, primarily affecting motor control and movement coordination. The severity of disabilities vary from mild to moderate and severe, meaning the mildest cases can be ambulant and the most severe in a wheelchair unable to maneuver themselves. The more severe and moderate cases often possess movement restrictions when functioning on land. Even the milder cases can have movement impairments, but perhaps only affecting one limb. Regardless of severity, these impairments have the ability to significantly impact quality of life. Most often individuals with CP require some form of assistive aids, whether they are for movement, functionality, or activities of daily living (ADL). The movement restrictions affect the overall development and quality of life of the child.
When moving in water many of the restrictions that are present on land are removed. The ability to function without assistive aids in water creates freedom of movement and the possibility of moving in three dimensions. This can create physical, social and mental improvements in the child’s life. These improvements can affect the child’s quality of life by improving functionality, cognition, fitness, strength, posture and decrease pain. It can also improve mental wellbeing and self-esteem, by giving the child a feeling of accomplishment from learning new skills and the ability to compete on the same level as same aged peers.
Performance enhancing swimwear often uses compression fabrics and other beneficial properties to improve the overall functionality and efficiency of swimmers. Improved functionality in the water could further increase the possible positive effects of swimming and feelings of accomplishment. According to the client and physiotherapist interviewed, performance enhancing swimwear offers postural support and muscle activation. The physiotherapist noted a decrease in the effect of spasticity, possibly due to improved body positioning, thus creating an increase in voluntary muscle control in her clients. Despite the predominant use of performance enhancing swimwear with professional athletes, this swimwear could prove to be beneficial for the CP population in the aqua therapy setting.
CP is the most common motor disability in childhood, primarily affecting motor control and movement coordination. The severity of disabilities vary from mild to moderate and severe, meaning the mildest cases can be ambulant and the most severe in a wheelchair unable to maneuver themselves. The more severe and moderate cases often possess movement restrictions when functioning on land. Even the milder cases can have movement impairments, but perhaps only affecting one limb. Regardless of severity, these impairments have the ability to significantly impact quality of life. Most often individuals with CP require some form of assistive aids, whether they are for movement, functionality, or activities of daily living (ADL). The movement restrictions affect the overall development and quality of life of the child.
When moving in water many of the restrictions that are present on land are removed. The ability to function without assistive aids in water creates freedom of movement and the possibility of moving in three dimensions. This can create physical, social and mental improvements in the child’s life. These improvements can affect the child’s quality of life by improving functionality, cognition, fitness, strength, posture and decrease pain. It can also improve mental wellbeing and self-esteem, by giving the child a feeling of accomplishment from learning new skills and the ability to compete on the same level as same aged peers.
Performance enhancing swimwear often uses compression fabrics and other beneficial properties to improve the overall functionality and efficiency of swimmers. Improved functionality in the water could further increase the possible positive effects of swimming and feelings of accomplishment. According to the client and physiotherapist interviewed, performance enhancing swimwear offers postural support and muscle activation. The physiotherapist noted a decrease in the effect of spasticity, possibly due to improved body positioning, thus creating an increase in voluntary muscle control in her clients. Despite the predominant use of performance enhancing swimwear with professional athletes, this swimwear could prove to be beneficial for the CP population in the aqua therapy setting.