Study on the Method for Teaching Freestyle to Young People with Down Syndrome

The constant practice of swimming by young individuals with Down syndrome improves their balance and/or the functioning of their body parts, enhances body functions and neutralizes the damage caused by sedentary life that is so characteristic of this class of adolescents. The paper aims at taking advantage of the experience gathered in teaching the crawl technique to young athletes suffering from Down syndrome. The experiment has involved three young athletes, aged between 18 and 25, from Bucharest, who already knew how to float, glide and breathe in water. The research method applied for this study was observation. The study was carried out during eight months and included one lesson of 60 minutes/week. The evaluation of the level at which the swimming technique had been acquired by the subjects was completed every four weeks. It consisted in progression items proposed by the Special Olympics Quick Start Guide - Aquatics (2004),that we have adapted and modified. Through swimming practice, young individuals with Down syndrome have the opportunity to improve their physical condition, motor skills and self-esteem; they can also develop certain abilities that can help them integrate more easily in society. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.