31354 - Theory and Teaching of Swimming Sports

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - knows the diversifications between the movement in the terrestrial and in the aquatic environment; - know the characteristics of the different motor and sports activities that take place in the water; - is able to apply correct teaching methodologies, with specific application reference to swimming, to design and perform motor activity in an aquatic environment.

Course contents

The contents of the program are divided into 3 areas:
a) Biomechanics and physiology of movement in water
b) Didactics and swimming technique
c) Characteristics of aquatic activities


a) Man and water, historical references, social and cultural aspects. Swimming today and swimming for everyone. Aquatic activities in Italy. The aquatic environment, differences between terrestrial and aquatic motility. Physical characteristics of the fluid. The dynamics of the flow. Floating, resistances: passive and active drag and measurement methods. The technical suits. Movement in water. Propulsion, propulsive efficiency. Physiological aspects of movement in water.
b) Swimming teaching, pedagogical models and values, aquatic motor patterns and the development of aquatic movement. The methodology of the different stages of learning, the organization of a course and the swimming lesson. The setting and the stages of the swimming learning. Evaluation and correction methods in didactic swims. the elementary swims, the analysis of competitive swimming, turns and dives starting, analysis of the race. The exercises of specific coordination, the evaluation and the modalities of correction the competitive swimming. The organization of the Italian Swimming Federation.
c) Types of different motor activities in water. Water polo, synchronized swimming, dives, dives from great heights, bottom swimming and a great background. The swimming activities for masters, fin-swimming. Drowning pathophysiology. Prevention and protection of the bather. Lifesaving techniques. Scuba diving: apnea, diving techniques with equipment.

Readings/Bibliography

Notes of the lectures (slides-articles) inserted on Alma-Campus. For further information: Maglischo E.W. "Swimming even faster" Mayfield Publishing Company 1993. Counsilman J. & Counsilman B.E. "The new science of swimming" Zanichelli 2004. Colwin C.M. "Breakthrough swimming" Human Kinetics 2002

Teaching methods

Lectures are planned with technical aids for teaching and participation at the invitation of expert speakers for the theory. Practical activity in water led by trainers. 70% of the attendance to the lessons of the Course is compulsory (both in theory and in practice).

Assessment methods

At the end of class the practical activity carried out in the exercises will be evaluated. The final exam will be a written test (with open-ended questions and possible oral completion) to verify the level of depth achieved by the candidate.

Teaching tools

Use of Video projector, PC, overhead projector, whiteboard.

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/giorgio.gatta/

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Gatta

See the website of Matteo Cortesi