Effects of Swimming on Disabled People

Swimming, one of the most favored sports by people across the world, is much greater than a form of competition and entertainment for a certain group of people. For countless mentally and physically disabled people, the pool represents a place where they build strength and derive confidence, and a place for them to connect with people who share the same mental or physical struggles as they do. According to Aquatics International’s research, people with disabilities have less time to socialize and partake in activities that require physical strength and they often experience feelings of depression. However, Aquatics International also found that “People with disabilities who are encouraged to participate in recreational activities such as swimming can achieve a greater sense of individual wellness and overall satisfaction with life” (Ostby and Skulski).Therefore, swimming is undoubtedly more than just a sport or form of entertainment; because, for some people, it is what keeps them alive and pain free. Swimming affects the livelihood of people with mental and physical disabilities in momentously positive ways, providing them support in innumerable aspects of their lives.
The affects of swimming on disabled people’s bodies’ physically is colossal due to the fact that water provides support, stability, and has numerous healing mechanisms. According to aquatic therapist Stacy Bintzler, “Water has four main features that are not offered through land activity: buoyancy, resistance, support and hydrostatic pressure” which allows for simple movement to be less painful and easier in comparison to the same movements on land (Bintzler). Water’s main components aid in the following ways: buoyancy, reduces stress on joints; resistance, buil...

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...ly prove that swimming directly effects specific mental and physical diseases in ways that other rehabilitation methods can not.
In conclusion, Bintzler was correct in her statement, “Aquatic therapy is used as a technique to better a person's life physically, socially, physiologically or psychologically.” Not only what goes on in the water during a swimming or aquatic therapy session is inviting to all disabled people, but the assists available to them such as flotation devices, pool lifts, and stair systems (NCPAD.org) make swimming irresistible. After continuos success in the water, the disabled person will reach a new level of confidence that will eventually translate out of the water in his daily life. Moreover, he will be able to live a more confident, pain free life due to swimming therapy’s ability to empower a disabled person physically and mentally.