Swimming: it’s good for the heart and not only for that

Suitable for everyone, it can be practiced in the pool or at the sea, alone or in company, at an amateur or competitive level. In any case, swimming remains one of the healthiest sports. Here are its many advantages.

Among all sports, swimming is among those that boast the most beneficial effects, on body and mind. It is suitable for all age groups, it does not require special accessories.

It can be practiced in the pool as well as at the sea, alone or in groups, as a pastime or as a real commitment, even competitive, as a single exercise or combined with competitive or recreational activities.

Among other things, regardless of the subjective pleasure of contact with water and the performance that everyone could dream or try to achieve, it should also be remembered that it, in particular circumstances, also acquires the meaning of “life-saving ability”.

An essential sport, in every sense

It is no coincidence that a frequently reiterated message is that it should be taught to all children as early as possible.

And that’s not all. Many orthopedists and pediatricians often recommend swimming in case of osteoskeletal changes (for example scoliosis) or to strengthen muscle tone.

In reality, each case requires a personalized evaluation, but let’s not forget that water activities are widely used in physiotherapy, for movement re-education, postural correction and treatment of various pathologies.

To this for about ten years now is also added the growing interest of new mothers, more and more assiduous frequenters together with their children of aquatic courses. In addition to recalling small unconscious sensations, water activities also promote reflexes and coordination of movements.

A real workout for the heart

Swimming performs a predominantly aerobic muscle work and this induces undoubted advantages at the level of the cardiovascular system.

If you swim regularly (for example a couple of times a week) even for a short time, the heart muscle gradually gets used to consuming, with the same intensity of exercise, less and less oxygen and dispersing less energy.

And if the energy consumption is lowered, the heart rate is also lowered: the heart adapts to the effort and is well trained.

All-round benefits

But those on the heart are not the only benefits induced by the practice of swimming. The table illustrates other benefits for body and mind, described in detail below.

On the physical…

• Swimming is an aerobic activity, useful for those who want to keep fit or, in association with other behavioral precautions (nutrition, lifestyle), to lose weight: an hour of swimming burns, depending on style and speed, from 400 to 700 calories!
• Like most sports, it helps to reduce blood pressure and improve blood glucose and fat levels, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
• Since water offers greater resistance than air, swimming requires the use of all muscle groups, reinforcing their tone and harmonizing their activity.
• Thanks to the support offered by the water, swimming does not require sudden and counterproductive efforts in case of joint disorders, low back pain, previous traumas: for this reason a gentle activity, even simple floating, can find the widest indications.
• Swimming, as part of thermal therapies, can also associate benefits for various body districts, from the skin to the respiratory system.

… and on the psyche

• Learning to swim helps neutralize the fear of water and derive pleasure from it.
• It generates pleasant sensations that contribute to well-being and promote the recovery of one’s corporeality in relation to the surrounding environment.
• Whether it is practiced in the pool or at the sea, it promotes socialization making it pleasant to meet with others and stimulating new friendships.
• If practiced with a competitive spirit, it induces you to focus on your movements and become aware of your abilities and opportunities to improve them.