Rol de las Federaciones Nacionales de Natación en la promoción de la salud: Comparación países desarrollados vs en vía de desarrollo / Roles of National Swimming Federations in Health Promotion: An International Comparison- Developed vs Developing Countries

Objetivos: Determinar el tipo de personal médico, las prioridades y actividades para la protección y promoción de la salud de las Federaciones Nacionales de Natación (FNN) según su nivel económico y determinar si aplicaban los programas relacionados con la salud de la Federación Internacional de Natación (FINA).Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal mediante una encuesta confidencial distribuida a las 208 FNN adscritas a la FINA. La encuesta fue validada y se obtuvo su fiabilidad estadística (coeficiente α de Cronbach de 0,8642 para n = 15). Las FNN se dividieron según su nivel económico en FNN de países desarrollados (n=66) y FNN de países en desarrollo (n = 142) siguiendo la clasificación de la Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (2016). Análisis: Se realizó una comparación estadística de las medias mediante la prueba U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Respondieron 80 FNN en desarrollo (56,3 %) y 55 desarrolladas (83,6 %). Hubo diferencias en la presencia de fisioterapeutas (FNN en desarrollo: 31,2%, desarrolladas: 58,1%, p < 0,005) y psicólogos (11,2% vs 21,8%; p = 0,096). La máxima prioridad para ambos grupos fue el Máximo rendimiento de los nadadores de élite, aunque Aumentar el número de nada-dores de élite era de mayor importancia para las FNN en desarrollo (4,1 vs 3,95; p < 0.05). Los Programas de Prevención de ahogamiento fueron los más frecuentes en ambos grupos, pero con diferencias significativas entre ellos (FNN En desarrollo: 58,7% vs FNN Desarrolladas: 74,5%; p = 0,058). Conclusiones: Las FNN no disponían del personal necesario para promover la salud de sus nadadores. La mayor prioridad de las FNN en desarrollo era Aumentar el número de atletas de élite, pero tenían bajos niveles de Prevención de lesiones, Vuelta a competir tras una lesión y de Exámenes médicos preparticipación, aunque en las FNN desarrolladas también eran bajos. La Prevención de ahogamiento fueron los programas más frecuentes pero la Salud de la población en general, la del atleta recreativo y el "Deporte Seguro" (sin acoso sexual) eran cuestiones de baja prioridad para todas

Purposes: To determine the profile of the medical personnel, the priorities and the activities/ researches of the National Swimming Federations of Developing and Developed countries with respect to the athletes' health protection and the promotion of health in the general population. Method: A descriptive transversal study through a confidential survey that was circulated to the 208 FINA National Member Federations. A statistical validity and reliability was obtained (Cronbach α coefficient of 0.8642 for n = 15). The NFs were divided based on their economic level, NFs of developed (n = 66) and developing countries (n = 142) following the classification of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, (2016). Analysis: A statistic comparison of measures with the test U of Mann- Whitney was executed. Results: 80 of the NFs from developing countries (56.3%) responded and 55 NFs from developed countries (83.6%). Evident differences were found in Presence of physiotherapists (Developing NFs: 31.2%, Developed NFs: 58.1%; p<0.005) and psycho-logists (11.2% vs 21.8%; p = 0.096). Top priority for both groups was Performance of the elite athletes, however Increasing the numbers of elite athletes was of major importance for the Developing NFs (4.1 vs 3.95, p < 0.05). The programs based around drowning prevention are the most prevalent of the programs run by both (58.7% vs 74.5%; p = 0.058). Conclusion: The NFs did not have the necessary personnel to promote the health of their athletes. Top priority for the Developed NFs was to Increase the numbers of elite athletes but they have low levels of Prevention of injuries programs. Coming back after an injury and Medical examination preparation were also low in Developed and in Developing NFs. Prevention of drowning program was the most frequent program/activity for health of general population, for the recreational athlete and "Save Sport" (without sexual abuse) they were questions of low priority for all of them

Keeping recreational water facilities safe.

(1) Outbreaks of diseases associated with aquatic venues have nearly quadrupled­to more than 40 per year. (2) The Cryptosporidium (Crypto) germ is the leading cause of diarrheal outbreaks related to swimming pools. (3) A national voluntary effort is underway to reduce the number of illnesses and injuries from recreational water facilities.

Is it the athlete or the equipment? An analysis of the top swim performances from 1990 to 2010.

O'Connor, LM and Vozenilek, JA. Is it the athlete or the equipment? An analysis of the top swim performances from 1990 to 2010. J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3239-3241, 2011-Forty-three world record swims were recorded at the 2009 Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Championship meet in Rome. Of the 20 FINA recognized long-course (50-m pool) swimming events, men set new world records in 15 of those events, whereas women did the same in 17 events. Each of the men's world records and 14 of the 17 women's records still stand. These performances were unprecedented; never before had these many world records been broken in such a short period of time. There was much speculation that full-body, polyurethane, technical swimsuits were the reason for the conspicuous improvement in world records. Further analysis led the FINA to institute new rules on January 1, 2010, that limited the types of technical swimsuits that could be worn by athletes. No long-course world record has been broken since then. We sought to understand this phenomenon by analyzing publicly available race data and exploring other possible causes including improvements in other sports, improvements in training science, changes in rules and regulations, gender differences, anaerobic vs. aerobic events, unique talent, and membership data.

Recreational water safety in Wisconsin.

Due to Wisconsin's numerous lakes and rivers, tourists and residents alike frequently participate in water-related recreation. Unfortunately, drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death, especially in children and young adults. Developmental factors place children who are less than 5 years at increased risk for drowning. Teenagers also have a higher drowning mortality rate, largely due to risk-taking behaviors in this age group. This article reviews drowning mortality trends and statistics for Wisconsin and the United States, as well as current recommendations and legislation regarding water safety. We also discuss drowning prevention strategies such as patient education and legislative efforts surrounding swimming pool and boating safety.