“I learned to swin” perception of the old about the conquest of the learning of the swimming – searching for a pedagogic reflexion

Abstract

The aim of this study is to hear from elderly students about their perception on the experience of learning to swim and what this practice means for their living, and through the analysis of their response categories discuss pedagogically the insertion of aging persons in the educational context, especially in the process of learning and practicing aquatic activities. It is based on the teaching experience with aging persons participating in the university extension project “Old Age, Swimming and Health”, carried out in 1986 at Núcleo Integrado de Estudos e Apoio à Terceira Idade, promoted by Centro de Educação Física e Desportos (Center for Physical Education and Sports) of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) and coordinated by Dr. José Francisco Silva Dias. Their discourse allowed to identify the concept and perception of success attributed to the learning to swim and its meaning in their daily life experience through the participation in the activities promoted by the university for this special group of people.