semmelweis university - Faculty of Physical Education and Sport ...

Bernadett Németh
Semmelweis University, Faculty of P.E. and Sport Sciences (TF), Budapest, Hungary
The Use of Swimming for Children with Missing Limbs Using the Halliwick Method
Supervisor: Gábor Ramocsa, assistant lecturer
Consultant: Dr. Zoltan Bejek, orthopedic doctor
Introduction: The topic of my presentation is the use of the Halliwick method with children
who „suffer‖ from missing limbs. The Halliwick method was developed by James McMillan
in London with the goal of teaching children to swim by having them practice a series of
movements consisting of 10 basic exercises.
Nowadays, teachers in Hungarian schools are required to teach children swimming and other
sports (physical education), so it is important for them to have access to more information
about additional effective teaching methods. One of the advantages of the Halliwick method
is that the teacher is able to motivate the child more successfully.
Goal: With the implementation of the Halliwick method, I proposed that children with
missing limbs could learn to swim and that muscle tone and control would increase.
There is a lot of information and research available regarding the use of the Halliwick method
with people who have had brain injuries. I believed it was time to study the effects of this
method on children with missing limbs.
Hypothesis: The use of the Halliwick method would result in more intensive development of
range of motion, as well as enable children to develop swimming skills.
It would have a positive effect on muscle balance and control.
The method would provide the basics of swimming to children with missing limbs.
Research circumstances:
15 children with missing limbs (9-11 years old) took part in our clinical trial.
With the help of Dr.Zoltán Bejek had been to compartmentalized the children. The
research group consisted of 8 children and the control group was 7. By research group
we used Halliwick method.
The Halliwick Wasserterapie Assessment questionnaire was used during the clinical
trial and to process the outcome.
Results:
The Halliwick method was shown to be useful for both rehabilitation and teaching
children to swim.
It proved to be valuable for both teachers and children.
Even though both the research and control groups showed development, we can
declare that the research group showed a significantly higher degree of development.
The resulting development was in both the physical and emotional areas.
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