Aquatic Skill-Efficiency Instruction Versus Classical Learn-to-Swim Instruction in 8-10-Year-Old Novice Swimmers

NCT07853495 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 610
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 107
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized study compared two 12-week learn-to-swim instructional approaches in novice children aged 8-10 years. Children were individually allocated in a 1:1 ratio to Aquatic Skill-Efficiency Instruction or a classical learn-to-swim program. Both groups received the same planned instructional exposure of 36 supervised sessions over 12 weeks, delivered three times per week for 90 minutes per session. The programs differed primarily in pedagogical organization rather than lesson frequency or duration. The primary outcome was 25-m front-crawl time. Secondary outcomes included 25-m backstroke time, blinded video-rated front-crawl and backstroke skill, and stroke count. Harms and safety events were monitored throughout the intervention.

Conditions

Swimming Skill Acquisition

Keywords

Learn-to-Swim Instruction; Aquatic Skill-Efficiency Instruction; Aquatic Competence; Motor Learning; Swimming Performance; Front Crawl; Backstroke; Stroke Skill; Novice Swimmers; Children

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 25-m Front-Crawl Time

  Time required to complete 25 m front crawl from an in-water push start to first contact with the finish wall. At baseline, participants completed two trials and the arithmetic mean was used. At post-intervention, one 25-m trial was completed under the same standardized conditions. Lower values indicate faster swimming performance.

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• 25-m Backstroke Time

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)

• Front-Crawl Stroke Skill Score

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)

• Backstroke Stroke Skill Score

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)

• Front-Crawl Stroke Count

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)

• Backstroke Stroke Count

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)

Study Arms (2)

Aquatic Skill-Efficiency Instruction

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm received Aquatic Skill-Efficiency Instruction, a structured learn-to-swim program organized around four learning components: Establish control, Elongate alignment, Economize propulsion, and Evaluate efficiency. The program used systematic instructional sequencing, mastery-based progression, efficiency-oriented feedback, and structured child self-monitoring. Instruction was delivered in 36 supervised sessions over 12 weeks, three times per week, with a nominal duration of 90 minutes per session.

Behavioral: Aquatic Skill-Efficiency Instruction

Classical Learn-to-Swim Instruction

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to this arm received conventional learn-to-swim instruction emphasizing water familiarization, breath control, floating, gliding, kicking, basic arm actions, repeated 12.5-25 m front-crawl and backstroke practice, demonstration, repetition, correction of visible errors, and progressive completion of short swimming distances. Instruction was delivered in 36 supervised sessions over 12 weeks, three times per week, with a nominal duration of 90 minutes per session.

Behavioral: Classical Learn-to-Swim Instruction

Interventions

Aquatic Skill-Efficiency Instruction BEHAVIORAL

Aquatic Skill-Efficiency Instruction was a structured 12-week learn-to-swim program delivered in 36 supervised sessions, three times per week, with a nominal duration of 90 minutes per session. The program was organized around four learning components: Establish control, Elongate alignment, Economize propulsion, and Evaluate efficiency. Instruction emphasized aquatic control, streamlined body alignment, economical propulsion, breathing rhythm, stroke-count awareness, mastery-based progression, efficiency-oriented feedback, and structured child self-monitoring.

Aquatic Skill-Efficiency Instruction

Classical Learn-to-Swim Instruction BEHAVIORAL

Conventional learn-to-swim instruction was delivered over 12 weeks in 36 supervised sessions, three times per week, with a nominal duration of 90 minutes per session. Lessons emphasized water familiarization, breath control, floating, gliding, kicking, basic arm actions, repeated 12.5-25 m front-crawl and backstroke practice, demonstration, repetition, correction of visible errors, and progressive completion of short swimming distances.

Classical Learn-to-Swim Instruction

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 10 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Age 8.0-10.9 years.
• Classification as a novice swimmer, defined as a non-competitive child with limited prior formal swimming instruction.
• Ability to safely participate in shallow-water instructional activities, including basic water comfort and absence of diagnosed aquaphobia.

You may not qualify if:

• Any musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, or respiratory condition that might limit safe participation in swimming lessons.
• Ongoing pharmacological treatment affecting balance, motor control, or exercise tolerance.
• Current participation in structured competitive swimming training more than three sessions per week.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Scientific Research Institute of Physical Education and Sports: lead

Study Sites (1)

Specialized Children's and Youth Sports School for Water Sports

Tashkent, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants and swimming instructors were not blinded because of the nature of the instructional intervention. Video-based front-crawl and backstroke skill ratings were performed independently by two assessors who were blinded to group allocation, participant identity, and testing occasion. Live poolside timekeepers and stroke counters were not blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Two-group parallel randomized educational intervention with individual 1:1 allocation to Aquatic Skill-Efficiency Instruction or classical learn-to-swim instruction. Both groups received matched planned instructional exposure over 12 weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 26, 2026
• First Posted: October 1, 2026
• Study Start: May 19, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 22, 2025
• Study Completion: August 22, 2025
• Last Updated: October 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: Beginning upon publication of the study results and available thereafter without a planned end date.
• Access Criteria: The de-identified participant-level dataset, de-identified assessor-level stroke-skill ratings, and accompanying data dictionary will be available as supplementary materials associated with the published article. Access will not require a separate application or approval. Potentially identifiable video recordings and participant-linked source documents will not be made publicly available.

Locations

UZ (1)