All this time, the benefits of swimming have been recognized as a back muscle-building exercise or a sport that can help increase height for those who are still growing.
However, beyond that, there are several benefits of swimming for the body that are not yet widely known. What are they?
First, swimming is a universal sport that can be practiced by everyone, both children and adults. Interestingly, even someone with special needs can do it. Let's see what the benefits of swimming are for the body in the following article!
Benefits of Swimming for the Body
If you are curious about the benefits of swimming from a psychological and physical health perspective, the following are some of them:
1. Exercises the Whole Body
One of the health benefits of swimming is that it exercises your entire body, from head to toe. Therefore, in short, some benefits of swimming for the body are:
- Increases heart rate without stressing the body.
- Tightens and increases muscle flexibility.
- Trains strength.
- Builds endurance.
Each swimming style focuses on training different muscle groups. However, your entire body is still capable of reaching its full potential, regardless of the swimming style used. Swimming is also an affordable and relatively safe sport for pregnant women.
In addition, one of the benefits of backstroke swimming is that it trains the latissimus dorsi muscle, which helps straighten and rotate the upper arm bones while stabilizing the lower back when the arms are in a fixed, weight-bearing position.
2. Maintain Cardiovascular Health
Swimming is a type of cardio exercise that is particularly beneficial for maintaining cardiovascular health. It is because swimming benefits the body by strengthening the heart and lungs. As a result, your respiratory system becomes healthier.
3. Relieve Arthritis
A study found that swimming has significant health benefits, reducing joint pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis [1].
Not only that, but swimming is also a low-impact exercise, making it a suitable option for people with injuries. Because, by swimming, the water will help you support your body weight. As a result, your bones won't work as hard as they would if you were exercising on land.
Even in a study, it was mentioned that people with MS or multiple sclerosis experienced a significant reduction in pain after doing regular swimming [2].
4. Lower Blood Pressure and Control Blood Sugar Levels
Research has found that one of the benefits of swimming for the body is that it can lower blood pressure while helping the body regulate blood sugar levels [3]. Furthermore, it is reported that individuals who swim regularly can have a 50% higher life expectancy.
5. Reduces the Severity of Asthma
Did you know that swimming can increase lung capacity, which can help control the respiratory system? That means swimming is a good exercise for people with asthma. But as a note, also pay attention to the cleanliness of the pool water.
6. Improves Mood
Now, for those who are curious about the psychological benefits of exercise, here is the answer. Swimming is suitable for your mental health because, during exercise, your body releases endorphins. Keep in mind that endorphins are hormones that play a crucial role in enhancing a person's mood.
Even this one benefit of swimming for the body can also be felt by people with dementia or impaired memory and thinking [4].
7. Helps Manage Stress
In a study published by the Khel Journal in 2015, it was found that a group of people with mild depression experienced several reductions in stress levels after swimming [5].
Although more research is needed, researchers have concluded that one of the benefits of swimming for the body is that it helps relieve stress quickly.
8. Helps Lose Body Weight
Swimming is considered an efficient way to burn more calories. But as a note, the number of calories burned through swimming is, of course, still adjusted to each person's body weight, frequency, intensity, type of movement, and the duration of swimming.
9. Make You Sleep Better
Lastly, the benefits of swimming for the body are that it helps you to sleep better at night. In a 2011 study, adults with insomnia were found to experience improved sleep quality after engaging in aerobic exercise, including regular swimming [6].
Now, you know the benefits of swimming for your body, right? After learning the various benefits, there is nothing wrong with considering swimming as part of your daily routine. Let's cultivate a healthy life by consistently exercising and drinking #AQUADULU to fulfill the body's fluid needs.
Best wishes for a healthy life!
