NSPF^® Current Press Releases

American Physical Therapy Association Aquatic Section Summit Partners with 2010 World Aquatic Health™ Conference
(03/08/2010)

The Aquatic Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) will hold its Summit in conjunction with the 2010 World Aquatic Health™ Conference (WAHC™) scheduled October 6-8, at the Antlers Hilton Hotel located in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. The WAHC is sponsored by the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®).

The collaboration brings together two leading organizations who spotlight the unique properties of the aquatic environment to enhance health.

“We are excited to be collaborating with the NSPF on the World Aquatic Health Conference to help us elevate the practice and acceptance of aquatic physical therapy and to learn from leading researchers,” says Sharon H. Kneebone, IOM, CAE, Acting Executive Officer Aquatic Physical Therapy Section, APTA. “The WAHC has great appeal because it also presents leading experts on many illness and injury prevention topics that our members are interested in learning more about,” adds Bess Maxwell, Ph.D., PT the President of the APTA Aquatic Section.

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New Study: Keep Kids with Diarrhea Out of Pools — Swim Diapers Not Best Solution
Research confirms that swim diapers do not prevent spread of waterborne, disease-causing germs
(05/12/2009)

A new scientific study demonstrates that swim diapers will somewhat reduce, but will not prevent, the spread of recreational water illness (RWI) of the most common cause of documented outbreaks, Cryptosporidium (Crypto). Scientists from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNC-Charlotte) reported at the Swimming Pool & Spa International Conference in London, England (March 17-20, 2009) that swim diapers help by slowing down the release of disease-causing germs, but the benefits are short lived. Crypto is spread by diarrhea from infected people or mammals and is the single largest illness threat to pool users. To prevent the spread of Crypto, officials advise that people should not get in the water if they have diarrhea.

The researchers measured the amount of microsphere that released from swim diapers worn by children. The microspheres were plastic particles that have a similar size (five microns) to that of Crypto. Normal swim trunks, common disposable diapers and reusable diapers with and without vinyl diaper covers were tested. Swimming trunks without a swim diaper of any kind had the poorest performance - almost 90% of the microspheres were released into the water within one minute.

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American Red Cross and National Swimming Pool Foundation^® Promote
Water Safety and Good Home Pool Maintenance with New Online Course
(06/15/2009)

The American Red Cross and National Swimming Pool Foundation^® announced today the premiere of the online Home Pool Essentials™: Maintenance and Safety course. Home Pool Essentials teaches pool care and water safety techniques to help home pool and hot tub owners stay safer and enjoy a well maintained environment this summer. For an enrollment fee of $19.95, the course allows consumers to learn at their leisure at www.HomePoolEssentials.org.

Many pool builders and hot tub retailers wish to instruct homeowners on proper maintenance and prevention. Owners who are better equipped to prevent accidents reduce risk for friends and family and liability for builders, dealers, and service professionals. “The course also helps owners to identify problems and work more effectively with retail and service professionals,” says Alex Antoniou, Ph.D., Director of Educational Programs at the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF^®). “The better our industry prevents accidents and makes maintenance easier, the more prosperous our future,” Antoniou concludes. Industry professionals are encouraged to refer new customers to www.HomePoolEssentials.org or to contact NSPF for information on reselling the online course.

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National Swimming Pool Foundation^® Awards Six Research Grants Totaling $415,282
NSPF’s stimulus package gives
boost to industry’s future.
(03/10/2009)

Despite difficult economic times, the National Swimming Pool Foundation^® (NSPF^®) board of directors awarded six grants totaling $415,282 to continue efforts to study the health benefits unique to aquatic exercise and immersion in hot/warm water, and to reduce injury and disease in and around the water. Research results will be reported by grant recipients at the 2009 World Aquatic Health™ Conference (WAHC™) October 28-30 in Atlanta, Georgia. “Research helps spur long-term growth. Providing these grants is our version of an economic stimulus package – without taking on debt,” remarks Bill Kent, Chairman NSPF Grant Review Committee.

Four health benefit grants worth $350,282 were awarded to Utah State University, University of South Carolina, West Virginia University, and Washington State University - National Aquatic and Sports Medicine Institute. Two injury prevention grants worth $65,000 were awarded to Purdue University and University of North Carolina - Charlotte. These grants will help to sustain ongoing research supported by NSPF in recent years.

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