Florida Today reports that swimming can really do seniors some good, especially those affected by age-related issues such as arthritis that can make it difficult to workout.
According to the source, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked over numerous studies on the effects of swimming at various levels and concluded that for people with hip and joint problems, the act is best over many other options.
“People report enjoying water-based exercise more than exercising on land,” members of the CDC wrote in the findings. “They can also exercise longer in water than on land without increased effort or joint or muscle pain.”
One study the CDC looked at was conducted by researchers at the University of South Carolina in 2009. Researchers used the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study that took place over the course of 32 years. The study reviewed thousands of participants physical exams and looked into how many people did certain exercises. From the results, scientists found people who swim had a 50 percent reduced risk of dying compared to runners, walkers and people who didn’t regularly exercise.
“Swimming has two things going for it: buoyancy and resistance,” Dr. Bruce Milburn told the publication. “When you’re running or biking in air, there’s usually no resistance. In the water, there is always resistance. So swimming is excellent for building muscle, for bones and for flexibility. You are exercising all the muscle groups, plus it’s soothing. Swimming probably is the most fun you can have while exercising.”
Family members with elder care responsibilities for a loved one might want to start bringing them to the local pool to get in much needed exercise. Here, seniors can freely move and work their muscles without fear of injury to joints or other complications.