A Study of Factors That Influence the Swimming Performance of Hispanic High School Students

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of swimming performance to six factors including swimming self-efficacy, fear of drowning, perceived swimming risk, previous swimming opportunities, body image, and perceived athletic skill among high school Hispanic/Latino males and females, ages 13–18. This research also compared differences for each of the variables based on gender. Participants in the study included 71 females and 73 males, ages 13–18, all of Hispanic/Latino ethnic background from one high school. Swimming performance was measured by a Swimming Performance Checklist and self-efficacy was measured by a Swimming Self-Efficacy Scale. Perceived swimming risk was determined by The Perception of Drowning Risk Survey. Body image, previous swimming opportunities, fear of drowning, and perceived athletic skill were assessed through additional survey questions. Analysis of variance determined if there were significant differences in the means of the seven tests based on gender. Males demonstrated significantly higher means for each variable. Relationships between swimming performance and the other variables were calculated using Pearson Product Moment Correlations. Swimming self-efficacy and swimming performance had the strongest positive correlation (+ 0.75). There was a moderate negative correlation between fear of drowning and swimming self-efficacy (–0.54). Early multilevel swimming programs for all children are strongly encouraged to help children overcome fear of the water, increase swimming efficacy, swimming performance, and ultimately, to increase the percentage of adults who can swim. There are many benefits associated with the ability to swim proficiently. Individuals who can swim are more likely to be able to save themselves or others because they can perform basic swimming skills (Brenner, 2003; Irwin, Irwin, Ryan, & Drayer, 2009). Swimming also promotes excellent physiological fitness because it is a low-impact, aerobic activity, minimizing stress on the joints while exercising all of the major muscle groups of the body (Luebbers, 2009). Participation in aquatics-oriented activities can also foster social, emotional, and psychological well-being (Lepore, Gayle, & Stevens, 2007). At its most basic level, learning how to swim can provide a great sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction and provide opportunities for social interaction (Irwin, Irwin, Ryan, & Drayer, 2009;