Swimming – a Skill for Life – it could even save your life

Introduction

There are lots of benefits of swimming. The recommended level of exercise to improve the body’s efficiency is a minimum of 30 minutes sustained moderate activity five times a week.

For Children

The National Association of Sports and Physical Education in the UK recommends that a child from 2 years onward should, each day, get at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity (adult-led); get at least 60 minutes unstructured physical activity (free play) and not be inactive for more than 1 hour at a time (except for sleeping).

In General

Swimming is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise, regular swimming will help to maintain and improve:

• The cardio vascular system
• Lung capacity and function
• Joint mobility
• Muscles and their function
• Stamina
• Coordination
• It may also help control body weight

Just being immersed in water will make your heart work harder due to the water pressure on the body. When swimming you have to breathe improving the lung efficiency. Being suspended in water takes pressure off of your joints allowing freedom of movement. The coordinated repetitive movements of swimming develop muscle memory, producing fluid movements and a feeling of being one with the water. Depending on the intensity and regularity of the swimming programme that you endeavour to participate in will influence the ability of swimming to help with weight loss.

From just enjoying a gentle swimming session a couple of times a week you will definitely feel the benefits and you never know it could save your life by improving your health or preventing you from drowning as a worst case scenario.

Swimming is suitable for all ages, from baby through to old age, water does not discriminate, it gives freedom to people with disabilities and all can participate. Swimming is great as a social event, mass participation swimming is growing in popularity and I recommend it to everyone.

Garry Seghers
Technical Director