Participating Programs:
Research and development programs are useful for raising awareness about safety in the aquatic environment because they provide scientific data and innovative solutions. By analyzing risks and developing new technologies, they contribute to the prevention of accidents and drownings, while also informing and educating the public about safe behaviors in the water.
Aquatic Sport for adressing learning difficulties (SPORT for LEARNING)
This project will introduce an innovative exercise program in the water for developing the four domains of learning (the physical, the cognitive, the social and the affective) in children who face learning difficulties. Project activities will conceptualize the topic “Sport for Learning (S4L)” and create a well-defined exercise method, the “Aquatic Literacy Method” for improving the basic learning skills in children through water activities. A professional training course will give the opportunity in aquatic professionals (n=40) to develop expertise in running Aquatic Literacy Programs in sport clubs, summer camps, schools and rehabilitation centres. Two pilot schemes will promote participation in aquatic physical activity in children with learning difficulties, in Cyprus and Greece, implementing the new exercise method.
Participants will increase their physical and cognitive-perceptual ability (e.g., basic swimming skills, working memory, attention, sensory adaptation, visuo-spatial ability, bilateral coordination, etc) and psychosocial skills.
The main goal of this project is to drive digital growth across aquatic sport sector by designing innovative digital tools for sport coaches and sport managers, to better identify the signs and symptoms of mental health issues in aquatic athletes. Project activities include professional training for coaches and sport managers (n=35) on how to use digital technologies in their daily work, to easily track athletes’ mental and emotional state. Furthermore, we will create an interdisciplinary digital network providing opportunities for collaboration and synergies between aquatic coaches, researchers, psychologists, educators and youth experts to effectively handle mental health issues in aquatic athletes.
