Health Benefits of Swimming with lifeguard course

October 6, 2022October 7, 2022 americanlifeguard 0 Comments Lifeguard class, Lifeguard training

Swimming is the fourth most popular sports activity in the United States and a good way to get regular aerobic physical activity.1 Just two and a half hours per week of aerobic physical activity, such as swimming with lifeguard course bicycling, or running, can decrease the risk of chronic illnesses.2, 3 This can also lead to improved health for people with diabetes and heart disease,2 Swimmers have about half the risk of death compared with inactive people.3 People report enjoying water-based exercise more than exercising on land.4 They can also exercise longer in water than on land without increased effort or joint or muscle pain.5, 6

Arthritis

Water-based exercise can help people with arthritis improve the use of their arthritic joints without worsening symptoms.7 People with rheumatoid arthritis have shown more health improvements after participating in hydrotherapy (exercising in warm water) than with other activities.8 Water-based exercise can also improve the use of affected joints and decrease pain from osteoarthritis.9

Mental Health

Swimming can improve mood in both men and women.10 For people with fibromyalgia, swimming can decrease anxiety, and exercise therapy in warm water can decrease depression and improve mood.11,12 Water-based exercise can improve the health of pregnant people and has a positive effect on the pregnant person’s mental health.13 Parents of children with developmental disabilities find that recreational activities, such as swimming, improve family connections.14

Older Adults

Water-based exercise can benefit older adults by improving their quality of life and decreasing disability.15 It can also improve or help maintain the bone health of post-menopausal women.16

Water-based Exercise Can Benefit Everyone

Exercising in water offers many physical and mental health benefits and is a good choice for anyone who wants to be more active. When in the water, remember to protect yourself and others from illness and injury by practicing healthy and safe swimming behaviors.

Swimming is Good for Asthma

Swimming is great for people who suffer from chronic lung conditions such as asthma. Asthma sufferers, especially those with sports-induced asthma, can experience trouble because the loss of heat and moisture in the bronchial tubes causes the tubes to contract. This happens when the air is dry and/or cold outside. Swimming is the best exercise for asthma patients because the moisture from the water replaces the moisture expelled during vigorous breathing.

Swimming Burns More Calories than Jogging

When you compare swimming to running, you can burn more calories swimming laps around the pool than you can running laps for an hour. One hour of vigorous lap swimming can burn as much as 715 calories. The same amount of time running at 5 mph burns only 606 calories.

Swimming Slows Down Aging

There is no secret pill to living longer, but the pool is like the fountain of youth. Regular swimming can delay the effects of aging by reducing blood pressure, increasing muscle mass, improving oxygen and blood flow to the brain, and increasing cardiovascular health. Swimming can also improve physical strength and balance in seniors. Seniors who suffer from joint pains can hit the pool to increase flexibility and to reduce joint inflammation. Lastly, this low-impact sport is easier on the body.

Swimming is Good for Asthma

Swimmers are More Confident

Swimming is a confidence-building sport. Early evidence from an ongoing study out of Griffith University in Australia revealed that young swimmers are more confident than their non-swimming peers. This is also true for competitive and non-competitive adult swimmers. Swimming teaches confidence in the pool and in the open water, which translates to confidence on land as well.