Perceived and Real Aquatic Competence in Children from 6 to 10 Years Old

Aldo M. Costa, Alexandra Frias, Sandra S. Ferreira, Mario J. Costa, António J. Silva and Nuno D. Garrido
Additional contact information
Aldo M. Costa: Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Alexandra Frias: Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Sandra S. Ferreira: Department of Mathematics, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Mario J. Costa: Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
António J. Silva: Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Nuno D. Garrido: Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-19

Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between perceived aquatic competence (PAC) and real aquatic competence (RAC) in 6 to 10 year old children in skills identified as relevant for surviving an aquatic accident. The study sample consisted of 105 children (8.2 + 1.3 years old). Two age groups were examined separately [G1, 6 to 7 years ( n = 53); G2, 8 to 10 years ( n = 52)]. Children’s aquatic competence was evaluated twice for skills linked to the risk of drowning: Firstly, using a common swimsuit (simple condition) and secondly wearing a t-shirt (complex condition). The PAC was assessed by questionnaire interview. Pearson correlation coefficients, pairwise, and independent t -test comparisons were performed with a significance level of 5%. Similar levels of PAC were found among both age groups for all measured skills, excepted for breath control during swimming ( p < 0.05). However, PAC differs significantly ( p < 0.001) from RAC (in simple and complex conditions) only in G1. Correlations between PAC and RAC were modest for all measured skills in both age-groups. Significant differences were found between RAC in simple and complex conditions in both groups ( p < 0.01). Age contributes to a higher perceived aquatic competence in skills related to the risk of drowning.

Keywords: aquatic skills; children; perceived competence; water safety; drowning prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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