Swimming: What studies show about its effect on the human body
BY OLGA TANTOU, REPORTING IN THE NEWS
In a few days, specifically on July 23, it will be one hundred and eighty-six years since the first swimming school opened in Boston, USA. In the midst of summer and just before the long and extended trip to the beaches, “Epikaira” talks to experts and presents modern scientific studies regarding the beneficial effects of swimming on humans. Health benefits “Frequent swimming, like other forms of mild exercise (walking, cycling), has favorable effects on the prevention and recovery of cardiovascular diseases,” notes in “Epikaira” the interventional cardiologist and former director of the Cardiology Clinic at the “G. Gennimatas” Athens General Hospital, Mr. Antonios D. Vrachatis. It is worth noting that, based on research conducted by the University of Texas, swimming lowers blood pressure in the elderly, since it benefits the functioning of blood vessels. Mr. Vrachatis emphasizes that “the actions to which the benefit of swimming is attributed concern the reduction of blood pressure, the increase of protective, “good” HDL cholesterol, the reduction of body weight and “resistance” to insulin, as well as the increase of antiarrhythmic and antithrombotic activity, as well as collateral circulation. Due to the reduction of body weight in the water, exercise is facilitated in case of heart failure.”
At the same time, the benefits that swimming brings to spinal diseases, such as spondylitis, intervertebral disc herniations, osteoporosis and scoliosis, are very significant. As the
Physiatrist and rehabilitation specialist Mr. Evangelos Manavelas, "swimming strengthens the muscles, because the muscles of the whole body are coordinated at the same time. In addition, it helps muscle flexibility, especially in people with spondylitis, while
As a gentle exercise, it works protectively for the joints, bones and muscles, due to the buoyancy of the seawater. Finally, aerobic exercise reduces stress and sympathetic pain. "From babies to swimming pools Numerous scientific studies have shown that
shows the beneficial effects that swimming has on children's physical health. In fact, a study by the School of Medicine at the University of Tasmania in Australia reveals that especially in children suffering from asthma,
Swimming enhances their physical condition, as well as the function of the heart and lungs.
Speaking to "Epikaiara", the pediatrician Dr. Kostas Kommatas points out that "children with bronchial asthma, who often avoid other sports, they shouldthey dare to deal with thebathing, since it gradually strengthens them
"it strengthens their respiratory muscles, while also boosting their self-confidence" and adds that "it is easy to understand the usefulness of swimming for a child's health. First of all, the body in the water becomes significantly lighter, so
"The smooth, generalized pressure exercises all joints evenly. At the same time, it protects against the significant risk of accidents, while the generalized movement, with frequent peaks of force – whenever necessary – leads the child's cardiovascular and respiratory systems to gradual overdevelopment." Also of significant interest is research conducted by Griffith
Institute for Educational Research, which reveals the significant effects of swimming not only on health, but also on the development of cognitive skills of young participants. In particular, children who start swimming at
At a young age, children who swim tend to develop their cognitive and language skills faster and to a greater extent than their peers who do not swim. Specifically, it was found that they have better performance in oral expression, reading, counting, as well as in creating shapes and lines. "Children who participate in water skills learning programs in the form of a game (infant swimming program for infants from four months to four years old) become smarter, since they do combination exercises (e.g., right hand with left foot), which create more synapses between the two hemispheres of the brain. Thus, children develop a more intelligent and creative way of thinking," explains Physical Education teacher and head of the "FISH" infant swimming program, Mr. Nikolaos Hatzigiakoumis. Furthermore, he tells us from his experience that "many parents tell us that their children's psychology also improves significantly. They are healthier and therefore happier. Finally, through swimming, they enter the process of setting goals early on – for example, to complete a specific exercise –, fighting for them and ultimately achieving them, which significantly increases their self-confidence, self-esteem and independence, while by socializing and interacting with other children their age from an early age, they become more social."
Swimming and muscle mass
In a study conducted by the Department of Kinesiology at Indiana University in the USA,
A comparison of athletes aged twenty to eighty-eight who were involved in swimming with their peers who had not engaged in the sport. It was found that the swimmers had in all cases a higher percentage of muscle mass.
Did you know that… the 93% of Greek waters is excellent for swimming?
According to the European Environment Agency's annual report for 2013, 931% of bathing areas in our country meet the minimum water quality standards, a percentage that exceeds the European Union average.
Additionally, water quality is excellent in 78% of the country's regions.
Precautions to avoid becoming dangerous
Antonios D. Vrachatis, Interventional Cardiologist, former Director of the "G. Gennimatas" Cardiology Clinic
"Swimming (and exercise) is not a panacea, and precautions are necessary to prevent it from becoming a beneficial and enjoyable experience that can be dangerous. Simple symptoms, such as dizziness, vomiting or even a cramp, in the water can result in drowning. Thus, a heart patient, especially if he is taking hypotensive or antiarrhythmic medications, should never swim alone or with food at great depth, in the "swimsuits", or go diving. He should enter cold waters gradually - there is a risk of coronary spasm -, while he should also avoid the inconvenience of difficult access to the beach, as well as the ordeal of exposure to very high temperatures."
You can download the original article from here: baby swimming
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