www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
A survey of young swimmers in the United States has found that girls nine to 12 years of age who swim in outdoor pools have a higher frequency of asthma than kids who swim in indoor pools. The new report adds to the ongoing debates on the link between swimming, chlorine and asthma.
The results of the survey were presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific.
The survey monitored swimmers in the Kansas City area to assess the frequency of asthma diagnosed by a
physician that involved the use of medication within the previous year. Swimmers were asked about the total number of hours they swam in both indoor and outdoor chlorinated pools. Asthma frequency among girls who swam outdoors increased according to the number of hours spent swimming, and was highest in girls nine to 12 years of age, he said. Among males, there was no difference in asthma frequency between indoor and outdoor swimmers, or according to the number of hours spent swimming. “We don’t know why girls of this
HEALTH BENEFITS OF WATER THERAPY MUST BE RESEARCH LED
WorldNews FEB 2011 SPN US RESEARCH FINDS ASTHMA THREAT IN YOUNG GIRLS
age are more vulnerable,” says the report. “Girls this age who swim outdoors who begin to notice respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing should alert their coach or parents.“
John J. Oppenheimer, Clinical Professor of Medicine at New Jersey Medical School in Newark said: “The question we always ask is: What is the best sport for people with asthma? We’ve generally said that humidity and warm air tends to be good for them, and we’ve often told our patients to swim, but this study questions this advice.”
Almost 300 delegates attended the three day World Aquatic Health Conference in Colorado
Swimming and water therapy must be allowed to play its full role in a large number of health issues. That was the theme of the World Aquatic Health Conference held in Colorado – now recognised as the leading global aquatic research forum. Forty two seminars covering every aspect of health issues – ranging from the benefits of UV and ozone systems to pool safety measures – were covered in the conference which attracted 289 delegates from all over the US and the world. The key message was the need to be proactive and promote the health benefits of swimming and being in the water.
Thomas M. Lachocki, Chief Executive of the National Swimming Pool Foundation which organises the conference, said: “The world does not care about pool chemicals, filters, and such things. People care about their families and their health. The conference spotlighted how each of us can be remarkable in ways that relate to society’s priorities.
“We must reject passivity, advocate health benefits, and lead courageously – every day.” It is important that we continue to guide therapy through research,” said Diane Platz, Vice President elect of the aquatic section of the American Physical Therapy Association. “Water activities can positively influence the future health of the nation, both by aiding recovery from disease and injury as well as in maintaining day to day vitality.” Topics included breast cancer, Lymphedema management through aquatic activity, mental health and public health implications and aquatic interventions for balance deficits, back pain, and juvenile obesity. Four scientists shared critical research and learning about disinfection by-products, including, Judy LaKind, who presented a toxicological assessment of the risks associated with swimming in indoor heated swimming pools.
Dr “Chip” Blatchley looked at factors affecting indoor air quality,
and detailed his exploration of the air quality in chlorinated indoor pools, dovetailing with a presentation by Ole Gronborg of Germany. Dr. Blatchley’s further analysis discussed how and under which conditions asthma and other respiratory problems, eye irritations and development of bladder cancer might be avoided. Six presentations addressing risk management included examination of oxidiser classification tests and criteria; codes and enforcement practices in the transport, storage and handling of pool chemicals; saving lives with new field practices linked to risk management principles; effective health and safety risk management, with a focus on requirements for both public pools and small pool/spa business owners; and rescue statistics for water park environments. Nine presenters addressed a variety of topics including ozone and UV as secondary disinfection systems, use of sphagnum moss in the purification of pools and spas, lifeguard assist technology for risk management, energy efficient pumps, metal ion disinfectants, and emerging energy standards, and regulations and incentives and their impact on pool and spa systems. The Foundation for Health and Environmental Effects was also held to identify key research topics to understand and minimise disinfection by-products in public pools. The eighth annual World Aquatic Health Conference is scheduled for 12-14 October 2011 in Seattle. Videos of all the seminar presentations at the conference are available from
www.nspf.org
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ASTRALPOOL LAUNCHES WORLDWIDE NAME FOR ITS HEALTH RANGE Spanish owned AstralPool has re-launched its worldwide wellness product range. AstralPool Wellma will now be called SPæCIAL.
This unusual brand name is a neologism, a newly coined word, made up of a mixture of the words spa and special. The use of the letters ‘æ’ from the Latin alphabet refers to the Roman tradition and says the company adds a touch of distinction, personality. Under the SPæCIAL brand name, all AstralPool’s customers throughout the world will be offered a wide range of wellness products including steam rooms, saunas and water therapy lines.
ANOTHER US STATE OPTS FOR ITS OWN ECO RULES Arizona has decided to follow the lead set by Florida and California with its own eco legislation.
The Pool Pump and Portable Spa Energy Efficiency Standards will take effect next year, and will require the fitting of two- speed, multi-speed, or variable- speed pumps on all residential installations with a pump size more than 1hp. It also mandates that the standby power on portable electric spas falls beneath a certain measurement. The standards do not require homeowners to replace single- speed units immediately, but mandate that all new and replacement installations installed after 1 January 2012, must fit the requirements. “Hopefully, it’ll mean more people in the industry become properly educated about hydraulics and pump sizing. Once that starts to change, they’ll begin to recognise the benefits these pumps bring,” said pool builder Rick Chafey.
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