EXERCISE
As summer approaches and warmer days are coming, many Rhode Islanders want to cool off in the pool or the ocean. Swimming is not only a fun pastime but a great activity for your health, including your orthopedic well-being. It can also be enjoyed by people of all ages and activity levels. Whether it’s swimming laps in the pool or going to water aerobics, swimming can build muscle, help with your cardiovascular health, and improve your mental well-being, all while being a low impact activity that can be enjoyed by all.
Low impact activity
While swimming can still be a strenuous form of exercise, swimming is a low impact activity unlike running or jumping. It takes less of a toll on your body, especially your joints. This makes it a great way for people with osteoarthritis to exercise. It helps strengthen your muscles without putting weight or stress on your joints. Swimming is also a more accessible form of exercise for people with different physical disabilities, people who deal with obesity, and people who struggle with high impact activities.
Builds Muscle
Swimming requires the use of most of the muscles in your body and is definitely considered a full body workout. Also, swimming is a resistance type of exercise because the water provides resistance with every movement which helps strengthen your muscles without the need for heavy weightlifting. Strengthening muscles, even at older ages, can help with the activities of daily living.
Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Swimming can be a cardiovascular type of exercise. Cardiovascular exercise decreases your risk of heart disease, can lower your cholesterol, and decreases your blood pressure. In addition, cardiovascular exercise can burn calories and help with weight loss. It also helps manage chronic conditions such as diabetes. Swimming is a great form of cardiovascular exercise because you can modify the speed and the type of swimming you are doing based off your activity level.
Improves Mental Health
Any form of exercise, including swimming, has shown to improve your mental health and boost your endorphins. Swimming is also a great activity to enjoy with friends, which can also promote better mental health. Lastly, swimming gets you outside and in the sun which can also help with people’s mood. Being active not only promotes great physical health, but is also beneficial for your mental health.
In Summary, swimming is a beneficial activity for your whole body. Swimming promotes building stronger muscles, a healthy heart, and a healthy mind, all while putting little less stress on your body. Also, you do not need to own your own pool to swim; try going to your local pool. Also, if swimming laps is not your thing, you can try water aerobics classes. Please remember to never swim alone, and be safe.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3396114/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/swimming-joint-friendly-and-good-for-the-heart
