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Health & Fitness

[Infographic] Senior Care: 10 Surprising Benefits to Taking a Swim

Have you been swimming yet this year? Here are 10 reasons to go.

 

Summer time just calls out for going to the pool. Remember taking your kids swimming and getting in some laps of your own? It’s just not the same when you don’t have little ones to take with you, is it? That’s why as I was looking for information on swimming one of the first ideas that really called out to me was that seniors can go swimming with friends, relatives, caregivers or new friends you make in a swimming class. There are even times of day in some pools set aside for those who want to exercise or swim laps. In fact you don’t have to wait for summer to have a pool experience. Many health clubs have indoor pools. So if you get started on exercising in a pool while it’s hot, you don’t have to stop when the weather is not ideal for you.

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Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise and has additional benefits in relieving and often preventing some of the age-related changes in the body. A 20 minute swimming session at least 3 times a week can make a significant difference in overall health and wellbeing. Swimming has both cardiovascular and weight training benefits, both of which are important for different purposes. It burns twice as much calories as walking, reduces the impact on joints and works out more muscle groups at once than almost any other form of physical activity. These are important factors to consider for the elderly who face a host of changes in their body which can reduce mobility, affect physical strength and lead to chronic pain.

Studies Show

According to Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, swimming helps to keep the heart strong while allowing it to work less strenuously. Swimming improves the cardiovascular system and increases stamina. Swimming also helps the body use oxygen more thoroughly and efficiently. Aerobic forms of exercise, such as swimming and jogging, can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by lowering blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic states that swimming is one form of exercise that can lower blood pressure; however, a person has to continue exercising on a regular basis to keep blood pressure low.

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A another new study shows that swimming cuts men's risk of dying by about 50% compared to runners, walkers and their sedentary peers. The University of South Carolina study led by Dr. Steven Blair evaluated comprehensive physical exams and behavioral surveys from more than 40,000 men, age 20-90 years, enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS) over the last 32 years. "We also observed lower mortality in swimmers than in runners," Blair explains. "Therefore, swimming appears to be a healthful alternative to other types of physical activity. …In an earlier study in this same population, we found that both women and men had similar benefits from swimming in terms of fitness and other health indicators." The results were presented at the 2008 World Aquatic Health™ Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and have been published in the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education.

You can learn more from the infographic supplied to us by Michael Phelps of Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas. Yes, that Michael Phelps up there.

There are ten main benefits of swimming for seniors:

  1. Improved cardiovascular conditioning
  2. Improved flexibility
  3. Improved physical appearance due to muscle toning
  4. Improved posture
  5. Increased muscle strength
  6. Eased muscle tension
  7. Improved balance
  8. Weight and appetite control
  9. Stress reduction
  10. Reduced risk of osteoporosis

Getting Started

If you don't already know how to swim then you should find a qualified instructor to get you started. Never attempt to learn on your own. Start slow and never swim alone. You can also join the local YMCA or YWCA to learn how to swim. It's a great way to get out and meet people too. Always consult a physician before starting any new physical routine. It is particularly important to do so if you have a known health condition, are elderly or overweight. Swimming is an important activity in the lives of human beings because it helps keep us fit and healthy. It helps us relax, have fun and enjoy the company of others and keep cool during the hot summer months. Remember you don't have to limit your swimming to the summer; there are clubs and fitness centers that have open pools available year round.

Where is your nearest pool? What are you waiting for?

For more great information, please come visit the blog at our Sequoia Senior Solutions website.

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