A Master’s thesis was defended at the College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Baghdad, by graduate student Lina Yaseen Abdulghani, entitled:
“Enhancing the Learning of Arm Movement Using an Assistive Device and Its Effect on Freestyle Swimming Performance among Female Students.”
The examination committee included:
•Prof. Dr. Mohammed Hassan Halil – Chair
•Asst. Prof. Dr. Laith Khalil Jasem – Member
•Asst. Prof. Dr. Zahia Sabah Abdulsalam – Member
•Prof. Dr. Suha Ali Hussein – Member and Supervisor
The study aimed to design an assistive device to support second-year female students in learning the arm movement technique in freestyle swimming and to evaluate the effect of using this device on their overall swimming performance. Additionally, the research sought to compare the effectiveness of the new educational approach—using the assistive device—with the currently applied traditional method.
The findings revealed significant improvement in the experimental group, including more balanced and efficient arm movement paths, enhanced water propulsion, and smoother forward progression in freestyle swimming. The device also played a key role in correcting common technical errors, such as improper palm positioning and lack of movement synchronization, while contributing to better kinesthetic awareness among the students.
The study concluded by recommending the integration of modern assistive tools and devices into swimming instruction programs and suggested conducting further research with different participant groups (including male students, younger age categories, and other swimming strokes).
By introducing innovative educational tools to enhance skill acquisition, this research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, supporting modern teaching practices and promoting lifelong physical activity.
