7 benefits of swimming –

Swimming is much more than just knowing how to swim, despite that being an important skill. Working the entire body, the practice is much sought after by parents, as it is the only sport to be performed in children under 3 years old and by people with limitations or bodily injuries, due to the low impact that it has for being practiced in water. As if that were not enough, it is extremely pleasurable and has many benefits that contribute not only to physical health, but also to mental health.

1- Helps the respiratory system

Lorraine Caes Silva, physical education and swimming teacher explains that swimming requires greater contraction and expansion of the lungs, being beneficial mainly for people who have Asthma (a disease that causes inflammation in the airways, making it difficult to draw air).

2- Increases longevity

A 2016 study released by the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that swimming practiced throughout life can increase longevity by 50%, providing cardiovascular, osteoarticular conditioning and social interaction.

3- Works the whole body

Fabrício Buzatto, sports doctor explains that swimming is a complete sport: It works on cardiorespiratory conditioning, muscle strengthening of the upper limbs, trunk and lower limbs, favoring the whole body.

4- Helps to relax

The professional even says that swimming can help with anxiety, because during practice, you really disconnect. “Different from what we see at the gym or in classes: people with cell phones in their hands, talking, taking their focus away from concentrating on the exercise, this doesn’t happen in swimming. The person literally dives into that water and is available for the exercise in that time”. In addition, it increases self-esteem levels and improves performance and concentration significantly, helping with daily tasks.

5- Helps in strengthening and postural correction

Water resistance and the techniques of four swimming they require constant stretching of the spine, where various muscle groups are worked, as explained by Lorrayne.

Breaststroke: Works the back muscles in general and the calves;

Backstroke: Works the muscles of the back, buttocks, abdomen, chest and posterior thighs;

Crawl swimming: Assists in the muscle definition of the back and the whole arm;

Butterfly Swim: Strengthens and defines shoulders and arms.

However, Fabrício warns that the butterfly and breast must be done with attention and care, as they can favor an injury and even cause pain.

6- Keeps blood pressure low and controls glucose

It may sound crazy, but Lorrayne explains that water has a hydrostatic pressure that acts on the body, helping the return of blood from the body’s extremities to the heart, that is, improving blood circulation. Also, swimming is considered an aerobic exercise and they all help to control blood pressure.

Also, through the volumes of movements in the water, the muscles end up stimulating the entry of glycols during their contraction.

it controls adequate levels of glucose (diabetes), due to the volumes of movements in the water, the muscles stimulate the entry of glucose for their contraction, achieving a reduction in glucose levels by improving the action of insulin.

7- Develops the cognitive part

“We understand that cognitive is motor skill, memory, attention, perception, language, reasoning, etc. In this way, swimming, especially for babies, helps to stimulate speech, reflexes, balance and thinking. Because we use recreational, reasoning, memorization, decision-making activities in the classes”, explains Lorrayne. “Another fact is that water has therapeutic properties, and together with the practice of swimming, our organism more easily releases the hormones of well-being, some of which are dopamine, endorphin and serotonin. These regulated hormones bring lightness and tranquility, helping with the day-to-day routine”, concludes the professional.