Aqua Instructor Training Program in Continuing Education
Abstract
Aquatic exercise is a contemporary and recent form of somatic exercise performed in aquatic environments, albeit not yet widely taught in undergraduate studies in Greece. Continuing education in adults is even more essential in the post-COVID era. The development of groundbreaking knowledge and the need for upgrading existing knowledge and skills has led to this innovative hybrid condition. The Center for Education and Lifelong Learning of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki offered a two-month aquatic training program to graduates of Physical Education. The attendees evaluated the continuous learning experience and the professional aspects of this educational program. The aim of this study was to address the factors essential for an adult educational program, specifically for instructors of aquatic exercise. The results were very promising as most of the students embraced the program, stating that it would be particularly useful for their future professional careers.
References
Aktaruzzaman M., & Plunkett M. (2016). An innovative approach toward a comprehensive distance education framework for a developing country. American Journal of Distance Education, 30(4), 211-224. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923647.2016.1227098
Archer, S. J. (2004). Take the plunge: Move your personal training services to the pool and open a new underwater world to clients. IDEA Fitness Journal, 1(2), 108-114.
Ayres, R. (2014). Lecturing, working with groups, and providing individual support. In A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (pp. 116-128). Routledge.
Baldwin, K. (2007). Add water to the mix: Including aquatic fitness in your training package can enhance your clients' programs and expand your client base. IDEA Fitness Journal, 4(3), 33-36.
Billett, S. (2009). Realizing the educational worth of integrating work experiences in higher education, Studies in Higher Education, 34(7), 827-843, https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070802706561
Brody, L. T., & Geigle, P.R. (2009). Aquatic Exercise for Rehabilitation and Training. Human Kinetics.
CEDEFOP – Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (1996). Vocational training glossarium. Thessaloniki: CEDEFOP.
CEDEFOP – National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP) (2019). Vocational Education and Training in Europe: Greece [From Cedefop and ReferNet vocational education and training in Europe database]. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/vet-in-europe/systems/greece
Chow, A. S., & Croxton, R. A. (2017). Designing a responsive e-learning infrastructure: Systemic change in higher education. American Journal of Distance Education, 31(1), 20-42. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923647.2017.1262733
Dai, S., Yuan, H., Wang, J., Yang, Y., & Wen, S. (2023). Effects of aquatic exercise on the improvement of lower-extremity motor function and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, 1066718. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1066718
Daines J., Daine C., & Graham B. (2006). Adult Learning and Adult Teaching. Welsh Academic Press.
Delevatti, R., Marson, E., & Fernando Kruel, L. (2015). Effect of aquatic exercise training on lipids profile and glycaemia: A systematic review. Revista Andaluza de Medicina del Deporte, 8(4), 163-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ramd.2014.08.003
European Parliament and the Council of Europe (2006). Action programme in the field of lifelong learning (2004–2006). Official Journal of the European Union, L (327), 45–68. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:327:0045:0068:En:PDF
Fischer, G. (2000). Lifelong learning–more than training. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 11(3/4), 265–294. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/2511963_Lifelong_Learning_-_More_Than_Training
Haynes, A., Naylor, L. H., Carter, H. H., Spence, A. L., Robey, E., Cox, K. L., Maslen, B. A., Lautenschlager, N. T., Ridgers, N. D., & Green, D. J. (2020). Land-walking vs. water-walking interventions in older adults: Effects on aerobic fitness. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 9(3), 274–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2019.11.005.
Hummel, C (1993). Aristotle. Prospects, 23, 39–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02195024
Jackson, M., Kang, M., Furness, J., & Kemp-Smith, K. (2022). Aquatic exercise and mental health: A scoping review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 66, 102820. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102820
Kaur, J. (2017). Lifelong learning and professional development. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(3), 125-133.
Khruakhorn, S., & Chiwarakranon, S. (2021). Effects of hydrotherapy and land-based exercise on mobility and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized control trial. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 33(4), 375–383. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.33.375
Kieffer, H. S., Lehman, M. A., Veacock, D., & Korkuch, L. (2012). The effects of a short-term novel aquatic exercise program on functional strength and performance of older adults. International Journal of Exercise Science, 5(4), 321–333.
Kim, Y., Vakula, M. N., Waller, B., & Bressel, E. (2020). A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the effect of aquatic and land exercise on dynamic balance in older adults. BMC Geriatrics, 20(1), 302. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01702-9
Matsumoto, S., Uema, T., Ikeda, K., Miyara, K., Nishi, T., Noma, T., & Shimodozono, M. (2016). Effect of underwater exercise on lower-extremity function and quality of life in post-stroke patients: A pilot controlled clinical trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 22(8), 635–641. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2015.0387
Mazanah, M. & Carter, G. L (2002). Designing and Facilitating Adults Learning. University Putra Malaysia Press.
McDaniel, B. B., Naquin, M. R., Sirikul, B., & Kraemer, R. R. (2020). Five weeks of aquatic-calisthenic high intensity interval training improves cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in sedentary young adults. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 19(1), 187–194.
Merriam, S. B & Brockett, R. G. (1997). The Profession and Practice of Adult Education. Josey – Bass Limited.
Ministerial Decision no. 229718/Z1/5-1-2018, Government Gazette 4/5-1-2018, τ.Β’. https://kedivim.auth.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/%CE%A5%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%85%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE-%CE%91%CF%80%CF%8C%CF%86%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%B7.pdf
Nørgård, R. T. (2021). Theorising hybrid lifelong learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52, 1709–1723. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13121
Pacheco, J.A. (2021). The “new normal” in education. Prospects, 51, 3–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-020-09521-x
Raja, R., & Nagasubramani, P.C. (2018). Impact of modern technology in education. Journal of Applied and Advanced Research, 3(Suppl. 1), S33-S35. https://doi.org/10.21839/jaar.2018.v3S1.165
Samara, A., Κouidi, Ε., Fountoulakis, K., Alexiou, S., Deligiannis, A. (2016). The effects of aquatic exercise on functional capacity and health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Journal of Clinical & Experimental Nephrology, 1(3), 15. https://doi.org/10.21767/2472-5056.100015
Takeshima, N., Rogers, M. E., Watanabe, E., Brechue, W. F., Okada, A., Yamada, T., Islam, M. M., & Hayano, J. (2002). Water-based exercise improves health-related aspects of fitness in older women. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(3), 544–551. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200203000-00024
Tang, Z., Wang, Y., Liu, J., & Liu, Y. (2022). Effects of aquatic exercise on mood and anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 1051551. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1051551
Volaklis, K. A., Spassis, A. T., & Tokmakidis, S. P. (2007). Land versus water exercise in patients with coronary artery disease: effects on body composition, blood lipids, and physical fitness. American Heart Journal, 154(3), 560.e1–560.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2007.06.029
Copyright (c) 2024 ANASTASIA SAMARA
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.