Hi im Markus, I am currently completing my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Deakin University. As part of my degree I am conducting research related to how swimming may improve psychological wellbeing.
As most swimmers (including myself) would have experienced for themselves there are many psychological benefits to swimming. For instance the sense of achievement and challenge plus the relaxation and escapism of swimming are well reported. However, in spite of this being a consistent theme in magazine articles, books, and film there has been a distinct lack of research related to how swimming may improve wellbeing over a prolonged period of time.
To address this gap the aim of my study is to investigate the relationship between engaging in physical activities (such as swimming) and improvements in subjective wellbeing. If you are 18 years old or over and a swimmer you are invited to take part in this research. The whole process is anonymous and conducted entirely online and will take less than 15 minutes, so it won’t take up too much of your time. Just click on the link below.
www.deakin.edu.au/.../swimming
Your participation in this research is greatly appreciated!
I was a little surprised the survey did not ask about being an active promoter or coach for the sport. I would have thought that participation beyond just personal experience in the water would have some meaning to overall psychological well-being.
But then, I'm not a Psych major, so what do I know? :blah:
Hurts so good! :cool:
Dunno about sampling a self-selected group of sport enthusiasts, with a further screen of those who frequent online forums.
Maybe Jimi will be the outlier.
:)
...how swimming may improve psychological wellbeing....
As most swimmers (including myself) would have experienced for themselves there are many psychological benefits to swimming. For instance the sense of achievement and challenge plus the relaxation and escapism of swimming...how swimming may improve wellbeing over a prolonged period of time.
...the relationship between engaging in physical activities (such as swimming) and improvements in subjective wellbeing...
:bliss::bliss::bliss::bliss::bliss:
I was a little surprised the survey did not ask about being an active promoter or coach for the sport. I would have thought that participation beyond just personal experience in the water would have some meaning to overall psychological well-being.
You are right on the money!
Combine coaching and swimming for the 100% Swim Happy experience!
One without the other at this point in the game doesn't do it for me...
Markus, very interesting survey. I wrote an article for one of the recent issues of Swimmer that deals with this topic and makes references to some mental health data gathered by Dr. Joel Stager of the Counsilman Center for Swimming Science at U. Indiana. If you want, I can send you his findings, which seemed to me particularly notable for swimmers who continue to participate throughout the lifespan. If memory serves, life satisfaction scores tend to go down significantly in most people in older age; not so in swimmers, who actually report higher levels of happiness in their golden years than even when they were younger. There is an astonishing bifurcation in the curves of swimmers and nonswimmers here.
I'd also love to see the results of your study when you get it done. If you could put me on your email list, I'd be very grateful. jamesthornton1@comcast.net
(I can also send you and anyone else interested the Dr. Stager stuff plus my Swimmer article.)
Swimming is something you can adapt to your fitness level. Slow swimmers are just as happy as faster ones.
I used to guard a lap swim with a group of older women. I would put on Chopin waltzes and they loved it.
Not at all for the speed swimmers, though.
You are right on the money!
Combine coaching and swimming for the 100% Swim Happy experience!
One without the other at this point in the game doesn't do it for me...
I second this. I am not a coach, but I too get a lot of happiness from watching my teammates and friends do well, accomplish their goals and swim fast!
