Swimming is the fourth most popular form of exercise in the United States, with more than 27 million people over the age of six participating in it.
But there are many barriers to participating in swimming. For example, many people only learn to swim later in life, and some people may experience discomfort or fear of water because it is an unfamiliar environment.
Despite these barriers, swimming provides several unique health benefits. Some people describe the feeling of being submerged in water as transformative or healing, and many enjoy the anti-gravity aspect of swimming with lifeguard recertification.
Health benefits of lifeguard swimming
Participation in any physical activity, especially on a regular basis, can provide health benefits. Regular exercise improves heart health, helps you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and even lowers your risk of certain cancers.
Exercise can help you develop sharper thinking, learning, and reasoning skills as you age, reduce your risk of depression, and help you sleep better.
And just one exercise can bring immediate benefits, including reducing short-term feelings of anxiety.
The aquatic environment and the whole body involved in Benefits of Lifeguard Swimming offer several distinct advantages over other popular activities such as walking, running or cycling.
Researchers have explored the many ways that participation in different types of swimming affects the body. However, as with any physical activity, it is important to note that there are significant differences between levels of participation.
For example, lifelong swimmers may experience different health benefits than those who swim for pleasure a few times a month. Here are some health benefits of swimming.
Can improve body composition
Benefits of Lifeguard Swimming helps reduce body fat. A small study published in the Journal of Physical Rehabilitation found that middle-aged women who swam regularly (60-minute sessions, three times a week for 12 weeks) showed an average reduction in body fat of about 3%, while a control group (women who never swam) showed no significant changes. Swimmers showed improvements in flexibility, cardiovascular endurance and increased blood lipid levels.
However, another study looked at changes in body composition in young women who participated in a 12-week swimming program. The study assigned 60 women aged 34 to 20 years to either a swimming group or a non-swimming group (sedentary lifestyle). The swimming group participated in three 12-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks.
At the end of the study, the researchers found that the swimming group experienced a reduction in waist circumference, but no significant changes in body composition compared to the non-swimming lifeguard group.
Finally, in 2015, researchers assessed the mental, social and physical health of swimmers engaged in long training sessions. The study was conducted over four days of the French Masters Championship in 2011. All swimmers selected for the event were invited to participate in the study, but only 490 participated.
Data collected during the study showed that experienced swimmers in higher age groups had lower rates of obesity and used less medication compared to reference data from various sources.
Can lower blood pressure
Several studies have shown that swimming can help lower blood pressure. One study included women with mild hypertension. Researchers evaluated the effect of different swimming protocols on blood pressure.
For the study, 62 women were randomly assigned to participate in high-intensity swimming (a 30-second full effort of 6-10 repetitions with a 2-minute break), moderate swimming (one hour at moderate intensity) or a control group. . group (without training and lifestyle changes).
After 15 weeks, the researchers found no change in the control group. But both the high-intensity and moderate Benefits of Lifeguard Swimming groups saw a decrease in systolic blood pressure. Both groups reduced resting heart rate and body fat.
Several other studies have found an association between swimming for exercise and lower blood pressure, particularly in people with high blood pressure.
Reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injury
Physiologists suggest that many popular sports and leisure activities require some level of technique and involve hitting the ground, which can lead to bruises, bruises, broken bones and more serious injuries. This can make high injury risk a weak point for many traditional sports and activities.
However, in at least one published review, researchers note that the likelihood of such injuries occurring in low-impact swimming conditions is reduced because weight is reduced by utilizing water buoyancy.
Researchers say the biggest benefit of swimming is that it can be enjoyed by people of all ages, as it reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Lower respiratory infections
If you enjoy swimming in cold weather, participating in this extreme sport can help you avoid upper respiratory infections and reap other health benefits.
Improved perception of health
In 2015, a team of researchers investigated how different levels of swimming participation might affect middle-aged women’s perceptions of health. In their report, the study’s authors write that health perceptions are important to how we manage our overall health because our behaviors and choices are primarily based on what we perceive about health.
They note that this relationship is more important than ever as stress and fatigue levels rise in many areas.
Research has shown that health perceptions are an important motivational factor related to beneficial behaviors, lifestyle, and life satisfaction.
By promoting a better perception of health, we can contribute to better health and well-being. Some research suggests that swimming with lifeguard course improves overall health perceptions in some people.
In a 2015 study involving participants in the French Masters, researchers measured swimmers’ attitudes toward health. All female swimmers and older male swimmers reported significantly higher perceived vitality values compared to reference values. All swimmers in this study showed significantly lower body pain perception scores.
Also Read About: The Beginnings Of Swimming And Lifeguard
