Scuba Diving as a Form of Rehabilitation for People with Physical Disabilities.

Int J Environ Res Public Health

Department Underwater Work Technology, Polish Naval Academy of the Heroes of Westerplatte, 81-103 Gdynia, Poland.

Published: May 2021

(1) Background: The exploration of the potential therapeutic benefits of scuba diving for the mental and physical health of people with physical disabilities. (2) Methods: The research was conducted on a group of 240 people (men and women) with physical disabilities, using the survey designed by one of the authors. The subjective sense of physical and mental fitness was analyzed in retrospective and real terms. (3) Results: Significant increases in self-esteem, belief in our own abilities (self-confidence) and improvement in the ability to engage in social interactions were observed in the group of scuba divers with disabilities compared to individuals with disabilities not practicing diving. The respondents also declared an improvement in the efficiency of the respiratory system and stressed that a water environment increased their motor skills and relieved pain. (4) Conclusions: Diving can become one of the forms of rehabilitation for people with disabilities. There is a need for further research to expand our understanding of the benefits and possible health problems involved in diving. These activities have a huge impact on improving the quality of life of people with disabilities.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8198635PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115678DOI Listing

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