Franklin Delano Roosevelt turned to water when he sought relief from the ravages of polio. Freed from the constraints of gravity, he temporarily escaped his paralysis in the buoyant environment. Swimming is an intense yet gentle aerobic exercise that leaves you invigorated rather than worn out. Because it is a low-impact sport, swimming is a good form of aerobic exercise if you suffer from chronic medical conditions.
Joint Diseases
Arthritis and other joint diseases gradually rob you of your range and freedom of motion. Swimming and aquatic exercise provides you a weightless environment in which you can stretch and move without fear of falling. Because you don't put weight on your joints, you work out with less pain than you might experience with weight-bearing exercise.
Swimming stretches out your muscles and lets you flex your joints against water's steady resistance. Swimming is an appropriate exercise for people with joint replacements such as knee replacements, but follow your doctor's advice before getting in the pool.
Breathing Problems
Certain triggers such as cold, dry air increase the risk of an asthma attack while exercising. Swimming has fewer adverse reactions associated with it than running or skiing, in part because of the humid, warm air you breathe just above the water's surface. Swimming helps improve your lung function even more than land-based aerobic exercise because you actively force air against the resistance of the water every time you breathe out. Building up the muscles that support your breathing further bolsters your respiratory health.
Circulatory Problems
Aerobic exercise such as swimming helps lower your resting blood pressure and helps improve poor circulation associated with conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Swimming works out all your major muscle groups and relieves some of the symptoms that accompany poor blood circulation, such as cramping of the lower extremities and pain. Swimming breaststroke requires strong calves because your kick powers your stroke. The constant squeezing and flexing of your muscles along with the hydrostatic pressure of water helps relieve swelling and edema that results from different medical conditions.
Mental Conditions
After a vigorous workout, you benefit from a release of endorphins, also known as nature's painkillers. The mood-elevating qualities of swimming and other aerobic exercise help minimize symptoms associated with moderate depression and anxiety. The insulating quality of water and the repetitive nature of the strokes you perform lend themselves to meditation and relaxation. You might forget about some of your problems while swimming, or at least put them in better perspective.
References
- "Aquatic Exercise for Rehabilitiation and Training"; Lori Thein Brody, et al.; 2009
- "Aquatic Therapy Programming: Guidelines for Orthopedic Rehabilitation"; Joanne M. Koury; 1996
- MayoClinic.com; Top 10 Reasons to Get Physical; February 2010
- "Sports Medicine"; Swimming and Asthma: Benefits and Deleterious Effects; December 1992
- "Polio and its Aftermath"; Marc Shell; 2005
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Activities after a Knee Replacement
