Water-based exercise brings a number of advantages, as compared to land-based exercise. As an environment that offers reduced weight-bearing stress, higher humidity levels, decreased heat load and a greater margin of therapeutic safety. Swimming is extremely well placed to safely and effectively meet the needs of a wide range of individuals, in both treatment and prevention of physical health issues.
A study was recently conducted by Swim England on the health and wellbeing benefits of swimming. You can read the executive summary of the study here and the full version here.
Wellbeing Benefits of Swimming
There is an increased recognition of the importance of maintaining and promoting the wellbeing of individuals within society and the entire lifespan. Two sessions of swimming a week for 45 minutes can significantly improve the wellbeing of older people.
There is also evidence of an incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (compared to minimal intervention) of E12,100 per quality adjusted life year gained for community based exercise programs. This is incredible at scale and you can also read about the Amazing Health Benefits of Swimming.
Swimming remains one of the most popular forms of physical activity across the world and may offer a unique opportunity to promote, maintain, and improve wellbeing across the lifespan, with potential to reach all individuals of society, regardless of gender, age, disability, or socioeconomic status.
- Kids: Swimming helps children develop more quickly, by helping them get to grips with the key skills like walking, talking and counting faster.
- Adults: Swimming helps adults keep on top of their mental health by helping reduce with stress and anxiety, and improving their quality of life.
- Elderly: Swimming helps older people stay mentally agile, by helping slow the decline of things like memory that can often happen as we age.
Summary
As one of the most popular forms of physical activity, swimming and other aquatic exercise confers significant physical health benefits for both healthy individuals and those with disease. These health benefits extend well across the span of someone’s life.
So what are you waiting for? Start a MySwimPro Training Plan today and get to the pool!
