Swimming and water aerobics are the best allies when it comes to perfecting our balance with Lifeguard Training near me. They help to strengthen our muscles and improve bone density.
We have all heard that a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of developing health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. However, little is said about how important it is to improve our sense of balance, and as such, it can go a long way in preventing falls, especially as we age.
A recent study concludes that swimming and water of the Lifeguard training near me aerobics are the best forms of exercise to improve balance. This may not come as a surprise, as we all know that swimming has mental and physical benefits, but according to this study, swimming is the best form of exercise for an elderly person to easily improve their physical condition. Swimming can also help reduce discomfort from a previous fall, but more importantly, it can reduce the risk of falls. Read on to find out how!
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- Swimming and water aerobics: why is it the best exercise for seniors?
- Why is walking not enough?
- How can swimming can improve our balance?
- Benefits of swimming to improve our flexibility
Swimming and water aerobics: why is it the best exercise for seniors?
For starters, let’s consider safety in the water. If you are not a great swimmer, we advise you to start this sport with the help of a teacher or a friend who can help you get in and out of the pool and/or walk on wet or slippery surfaces. Having someone with you will help you enjoy the benefits of swimming without worrying about any dangers. As long as safety is a priority, practicing this sport is undoubtedly an excellent option.
For many years, common sense has shown us that swimming is a beneficial exercise, but finally, several studies prove this. For example, a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology states that swimming and water aerobics exercises may be the best form of exercise to help seniors reduce the risk of falling, as they help improve balance and strengthen our bones. . This study is the first to compare various types of physical activity to find which is the most beneficial in preventing falls.
Concern about improving balance has gained prominence as falls and injuries in the elderly are becoming an increasingly important public health problem. Falls happen more often than we can imagine and in situations that we cannot expect, such as in the comfort of our own home . Raising awareness of this issue can never be enough to contribute to everyone, especially the elderly, being actively aging.
As such, swimming is the perfect form of exercise because it doesn’t strain your muscles and joints in the way that strength training would of the Lifeguard training near me.
Why is walking not enough?
For seniors who have been encouraged by their doctors to engage in moderate-intensity exercise, swimming is undoubtedly the perfect way to improve strength and a sense of balance.
For the most part, walking is the first choice when it comes to exercising in old age. Effectively, this activity can be a great help of the Lifeguard training near me, but it is not enough to strengthen core muscles and improve balance. Swimming strengthens the core muscles that are necessary for good balance – an important factor in preventing falls.
Unlike walking, swimming is considered a more complex motor activity. Water is approximately twelve times denser than air. So even if you can’t swim, water jogging or water walking will give you more resistance, as the body only carries 50% of its weight. And if you’re up to your neck in water, you’ll only have to support 10% of your own weight. The faster you can walk or exercise, the more the water resists and increases muscle strength. Swimming and water aerobics are also the fastest way to improve neuromuscular response after an injury, for example.
Unlike many other forms of exercise, the low-impact nature of swimming poses minimal risk of injury, making it an ideal choice for seniors who want to improve their quality of life.
How can swimming improve our balance?
Our sense of balance is something that often goes unnoticed and sometimes we don’t realize that we are losing it until we start to be a little “clumsy”. For the elderly, the risk of falling should be a cause for concern. A fracture, head trauma, or other injuries can affect your mobility and quality of life. So it’s worth investing in improving your sense of balance and fitness before it becomes a real problem. It is scientifically proven – in the aforementioned study – that seniors who practice swimming/water aerobics are 33% less likely to suffer a fall compared to those who do no exercise in the water. It was also concluded that people who swim reveal more balance in their posture.
Why is swimming so beneficial for our body? As we age, we start to lose muscle mass and strength. By exercising in the water, we increase our resistance and, as a consequence, our ability to strengthen our muscles without causing wear and tear on the joints increases. Furthermore, swimming activates all the muscles in the body at the same time, including the most important muscle of all: the heart . That is, swimming increases cardiovascular capacity, helping our body to pump blood efficiently. In short, strengthened muscles and good blood circulation leads to a better sense of balance of the Lifeguard training near me.
Water aerobics helps to reduce the risk of osteoporosis: in addition to being a very fun activity and stimulating social interaction, water aerobics is very beneficial for our bones. Loss of bone density is another condition whose incidence can increase over the years, especially in women. Loss of bone density can also lead to osteoporosis, so it’s important to do everything you can to prevent it, for example, through healthy eating and water aerobics: walking and dancing in the water. In the end, everything is related: strong muscles also help protect bones, and if you fall, you can avoid serious injuries.
Benefits of swimming to improve our flexibility
Practicing swimming involves “working” multiple muscles simultaneously, as we are constantly in motion. This will help to increase the flexibility of our joints, which is vital for our balance. It can also help reduce back pain, improve muscle coordination and posture. Swimming in a warmer pool will also naturally relax your muscles and stimulate blood circulation, reducing stress on your body while allowing your joints to move with ease. Water support should help you hold positions that involve tricky balance – such as a quadruple stretch – for longer periods of time.
If you are looking for an exercise to relieve muscle or joint pain and want to avoid the pain and tension you feel when you walk or train in the gym, swimming is undoubtedly an excellent alternative. In addition to “gaining years of life”, you are preparing to enjoy aging with Lifeguard training near me health and quality of life. A simple 20-minute session, at least 3 times a week, can provide many benefits, similar to other activities such as Yoga or Thai Chi. At the end of the day, you will feel stronger, more balanced and more confident to face the physical and psychological obstacles of everyday life. And if you think it’s been many years since you last swam, know that it’s never too late to start enjoying the benefits of water!
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