Swimming is healthy

‪Swimming is a healthy, low-impact activity that has many physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages.

With our hot summers, there is no denying we love our backyard pools in Australia – Roy Morgan research tells us that “Almost 18% of residents in Perth live in a household with a swimming pool, well above the national average. Pool ownership is also above average in Sydney (16% of residents) and Brisbane (15%).”

But it’s not just about cooling off in our sweltering summers. Recent studies are proving the many benefits of including a regular swim into your regime all year round.

Get fit and live longer

Health Direct Australia recommends swimming to provide a great cardiovascular workout. Add in the bonus of strength training and that’s two workouts in one!

The Glow Health and Fitness Guide tell us “not only has swimming been proven to increase flexibility, improve circulation and build a stronger, healthier heart but a 2008 study conducted by the University of South Carolina found that swimmers lived considerably longer than both runners and walkers.”

Help with asthma

There is also research emerging that swimming can assist people of any age with their asthma. Medical Daily explain that the cardio workout increases lung capacity and forces your body to work overtime. Since water is denser than air, your lungs need to work that much harder to supply enough oxygen to your blood, giving your lungs a good workout and thus decreasing asthma symptoms.

Swimming makes you smart!

Researchers from Griffith Institute for Educational Research found “Children who swim demonstrate more advanced cognitive and physical abilities than other children”. It went on to say “the children were anywhere from six to 15 months ahead of the normal population when it came to cognitive skills, problem solving in mathematics, counting, language and following instructions.”