Dr.Hab., Professor E.A. Raspopova¹
Associate Professor O.G. Rysakova²
Postgraduate student N.V. Popovich^3
1Russian State University of Physical Education, Sports, Youth and Tourism (SCOLIPE), Moscow
²Russian State Social University, Moscow
³Moscow City Pedagogical University, Moscow

Objective of the study was to develop and test benefits of a beginner swimming course for children with mental retardations. Sampled for the study were the 7 year-olds (n=20) diagnosed with ‘autistic spectrum disorders’ split up into Experimental (EG) and Reference (RG) groups of 10 people each trained in a swimming pool 2 times a week for 3 months. The Reference group was trained as required by the standard training method, with every coach serving 2 children; and the Experimental group was trained by the special training system, also with 2 children per coach, with coachers swimming with children. The similar training systems have been reportedly applied to children with mental retardations albeit exclusively for safety reasons – to prevent accidents with epilepsy-diagnosed children. The new beginner swimming course testing experiment showed its great benefits, particularly expressed in the breath-holding practices combined with recumbent exercises to improve the swimming practice efficiency; whilst the swimming coaching service was found highly favorable for the children with mental retardations.

Keywords: beginner swimming practices, individualized approach, children with mental retardations.

References

1. Mosunova M.D. Obuchenie plavaniyu v usloviyakh sovmestnogo prebyvaniya v vode trenera i rebenka-invalida (na primere epilepsii) [Teaching swimming when coach and disabled child are in the water (case study of epilepsy)]. PhD diss. abstract. St. Petersburg, 2005. 24 p.
2. Permyakov V.E. Ispolzovanie sredstv plavaniya v sisteme fizicheskoy i psikhicheskoy reabilitatsii detey 9-11 let s zaderzhkoy psikhicheskogo razvitiya [Swimming techniques use in physical and mental rehabilitation system for 9-11 year-olds with mental retardation]. PhD diss. abstract. Krasnodar, 2004. 18 p.
3. Pogrebnoy A.I. Plavanie v sisteme fizicheskoy i psikhicheskoy reabilitatsii detey s defektami v razvitii [Swimming in physical and mental rehabilitation system for mentally retarded children]. Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury. 2004. no. 8. pp. 55-58.
4. Savelyeva O.Yu., Karpov V.Yu., Romanova A.V., Bakulina E.D. Issledovanie individualnoy predraspolozhennosti shkolnikov k osvoeniyu tekhniki plavaniya na etape osvoeniya s vodoy [Study of students' individual predisposition to mastering of swimming technique of at the stage of mastering with water]. Uchenye zapiski universiteta im. P.F. Lesgafta. 2016. # 4 (134). pp. 237-242.
5. Ukaz Prezidenta RF ot 18-08-94 1696 «O prezidentskoy programme "Deti Rossii"» [RF Presidential Decree dated 18-08-94 1696 «On Presidential program "Children of Russia"»].