ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has considerable mental health impacts. Immersive nature-based interventions, such as swimming or snorkeling, may help mitigate the global mental health crisis caused by the pandemic. To investigate this, we collected cross-sectional data from residents of coastal villages (n = 308) in Kepulauan Selayar, Indonesia. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used with mental well-being as the outcome variable, operationalized as the Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores from the SF-12 (12-item Short Form Health Survey). After adjusting for covariates, the activity of sea swimming or snorkeling was found to be significantly associated with better mental well-being (2 = 0.036;p < 0.01). Predictive margins analysis revealed that those who engaged in sea swimming or snorkeling for one to three days a week gained a 2.7 increase in their MCS scores, compared to those who did not. A non-linear dose-response relationship was detected: for those swimming or snorkeling more than three days per week, there was only an increase of 1.7 MCS score compared to the 0-day. Overall this study contributes to the expanding of evidence base, showing that interactions with blue spaces can be beneficial for mental health, especially in a potentially stressful time such as the current pandemic.
ABSTRACT
This article explores how swimming and aquatic activity can play a role in Australia's Coronavirus recovery. The health, social and economic benefits of swimming are highlighted.
ABSTRACT
This study was considered to examine some effects of the pandemic on the aquatics field in terms of sports tourism and recreational activities during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this study, data was collected by creating a semi-structured interview form in a qualitative research model. Content analysis method from qualitative analysis techniques was used to evaluate and analyze the responses of the participants to the interview forms. In the results, they were explained by directly quoting the participants' statements, expressed in the form of themes, categories and codes, and associated and interpreted. Among the individuals working in water sports centers, the ratio of individuals who state that they have suffered or not suffered financial damage is close to each other. In the study, it was found that the majority of participants thought that Covid-19 had a negative impact on tourism in general, but in this process they concentrated on the fact that water sports centers were not negatively affected. As a result of the analysis of the results obtained from the interviews in the study, the codes "customer", "economy", "tourism" and "domestic-foreign," "financial damage", "negative effects", "tourist" and "working difficulties" belonging to these themes were determined in the category "Covid-19 and Water Sports". Based on the findings of the research, as a result, it can be said that the concepts of customer, economy and tourism are concepts directly related to Covid-19 and water sports. The negative impact of tourism during pandemic periods such as Covid-19 is closely related to many areas that can be considered as stakeholders of tourism. It is thought that concrete measures that can be put forward with researches and a healthy interaction will contribute to the recovery of such processes with the least damage, in order for water sports centers to be less affected by adverse conditions such as pandemics.
ABSTRACT
As aquatic programs re-open and/or expand as COVID restrictions lift, avoiding virus transmission is a top health and safety concern. This article presents options for safe social distancing for professionals and participants during teaching of swim lessons, coaching sessions, and aquatic exercise classes. Emphasis is on practical, session-to-session issues. Suggestions are applicable to all ages of participants in aquatic programs. Focus is on information for aquatic professionals providing direct participant service. Guidelines for program management are also included.