Swimming and aquatic exercise are known for their effects on respiration in normal and asthmatic people. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a 6‐month movement and swimming program on the respiratory function and water orientation skills of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Forty‐six kindergarten children aged 5 to 7 years were assigned either to a treatment or control group. The intervention program consisted of swimming sessions twice weekly and sessions of group physical activity in a gym once weekly, each session lasting 30 minutes, for a period of 6 months. Children in the control group were treated (30 minutes, 4 days per week) with Bobath physical therapy. The children in the treatment and control groups had comparable disability types, age, and anthropometric measurements. A 2 × 2 (group × test period) repeated measures ANOVA design confirmed a significant effect of interaction of time with group. The results also confirmed that children with CP have reduced lung function compared with normative data for children in the same age category. The treatment program improved baseline vital capacity results by 65%, while children in the control group improved by only 23%. The movement and swimming exercise program had a better effect than a physical therapy routine implemented in a previous study, consisting of respiratory exercise alone.

The purpose was to explore the personal experiences of children with physical disabilities in physical education (PE) and to identify supporting and limiting mechanisms to their inclusion and empowerment. A computerized analysis of individual profiles was performed based on in-depth interviews with 8 females and 2 males, ages 9 to 15, who were included in regular PE classes. Two individual profiles served as examples for situations faced during inclusive settings and typical reaction patterns. A comparative qualitative analysis of interview themes generated five main categories of themes: assistive devices, physical activity, peers, important adults, and self. Experiences during physical activity were identified as supporting or limiting empowerment within each category, based on selected criteria. An almost equal distribution of supporting and limiting factors was observed.

In this study the effect of an experimental movement and swimming program of six months on motor function in the water measured by means of the Water Orientation Score and self-perception measured by means of the Martinek-Zaichkowsky Self-concept Scale was investigated. 23 children participated in the program, completing both tests prior to and after the intervention. An age-, sex-, and disability-matched control group of 23 children completed only the Self-concept Scale at pre- and posttest. Analysis indicated a significant improvement in Water Orientation Score of children in the trained group, but no effect on scores of the Self-concept Scale.