Résumé :
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INTRODUCTION Swimming and other kinds of water exercise are highly suitable forms of recreation for people with any type of physical disability. The physical properties of water facilitate movement and for some people water represents the only environment where they can move independently. Swimming and water exercise can improve patients' physical and psychological scope, as well as their self-image and quality of life. METHODS The work is based on rich practical experiences, which we acquired by the multi-annual work in the program of the so-called "renewal" restorative rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular diseases. We upgraded practical experiences in swimming and other kinds of water exercise for the most severely physically disabled persons, with data from literature and with the responses of 236 participants in the restorative rehabilitation to survey questionnaire. In the survey we obtained information regarding possible modes and styles of swimming, and the necessary assistance offered by another person in different types and levels of physical disability, and also regarding the importance and the role the patients attributed to hydrotherapy. RESULTS This paper gives an overview of swimming and other kinds of water exercise for people with neuromuscular disorders in all aspects of swimming and other kinds of movement in water from a specific mode of entry and exit from the water, swimming, or specific methods of maintenance and change of the body's position in water, to various specific ways of the assistance needed. During performing swimming and other kinds of water exercise the presence of a rescuer from water, who has the appropriate knowledge, experience, skills and equipment, is absolutely necessary. The rescuer must be well aware of the very limited physical abilities of these people, specific ways of swimming and maintaining the position of the body in the water, in particular he must be well acquainted with the different modes of assistance, he must act quickly and decisively, otherwise very tragic consequences can occur, in the worst case scenario even drowning of the patient. CONCLUSIONS The domain of swimming andother kinds of water exercise for people with neuromuscular disorders is poorly investigated in the existing literature, especially regarding the practical aspects. We believe that our contribution can serve as a practical guide and will assist in implementing safe hydrotherapy for people with neuromuscular disorders in the context of their therapeutic treatment and care for the maintenance and preservation of optimal psychophysical fitness.
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