DESCRIÇÃO DA EVOLUÇÃO DO COMPORTAMENTO MOTOR AQUÁTICO: UM ESTUDO OBSERVACIONAL

Abstract

Objective: this study aimed to describe the evolution of aquatic motor behavior, as well as the socio-affective characteristics that beginning children of a swimming program show over the first weeks of learning. Method: 10 children were observed for 12 weeks; six classes were performed. The observations were individual, during all the 45 min of the class. Descriptive reports were carried out at each observation. Body and head position, legs and arms actions, movements’ synchronization and respiratory movements were analyzed. Results: all participants improved or maintained the body and head position along the observations, as well as the legs movement, except for one participant. Regarding the arms movement, movement synchronization and breathing, few participants have improved over the study. Socio-affective aspects of development were also identified as large interferents in acquiring these skills. Final considerations: this research has shown that each individual has an unique process of aquatic skills development. Howeve