‘Flying’ in the water
Rediscovering the benefits of swimming
For Hungarian coach Ivan Petrov, swimming is synonymous with flying.
“A swimming pool is like a sky. You can move freely in the water, do what you want because there is no limitation. You have nothing to be afraid of. Who doesn’t want to fly, anyway?”
This being said, swimming—for competition or recreation—welcomes anyone who wants to “fly” in the water, including the elderly and the handicapped.
Petrov has handled a 66-year-old man who wanted to learn how to swim. After three months of dedication and motivation, Petrov said he became a better swimmer.
Moreover, Petrov said there is no significant difference between a regular and disabled person when he or she is in the water.
“Swimming doesn’t cause cruel impact on one’s skeletal system. The joints for instance, are not affected by gravity. There is no great impact on the ankle or spine. So anyone can move freely in the water even if, for instance, he doesn’t have legs,” he said.
In fact, the human body becomes lighter when it is in the water. When immersed to the waist, the body only holds half of its weight. While when submerged to the neck, a body only bears 10 percent of its weight, the rest is controlled by the pool. Hence, swimming also provides convenience to people suffering from stiff muscles, arthritis, sore joints, or obesity.
Petrov, however, cautioned that persons with asthma and epilepsy should inform their coaches about their health conditions. Alternatively, they may not want to swim alone.
Leaner, stronger muscles
Petrov noticeably has tone muscles and broad shoulders. Physical fitness after all, is just one of the benefits of swimming.
When one swims, he or she uses every muscle of the body, unlike in other sports.Running, for example, only requires a specific part of the body. A swimmer on the other hand, uses every muscle and bone when in the water. The water is about 12 times denser than the air, which means that the resistance is stronger when in it. As a result, the muscles become leaner and stronger.
Healthier heart and lungs
Having a healthier heart and lungs is another benefit of swimming, it being a total body workout. According to Petrov, a competitive swimmer’s heart beat averages 180 per minute, while a recreational swimmer averages 140 heart beats per minute.
The rapid heartbeats improve the efficiency of the heart to pump more oxygen and blood in the body. As a result, it lowers bad cholesterol and improves blood pressure. Swimming also expands the lung capacity and helps the lungs use oxygen efficiently.
According to the American Heart Association, exercising for half an hour, like swimming, reduces coronary heart disease in women by 30 to 40 percent.
Happier spirit
“Swimming is also a good way to meditate,” Petrov said.
In fact, exercising releases endorphins. The body produces endorphins as a response to stimuli like stress, pain, or fear. Thus, they are responsible for our excitement, feeling of being high, and satisfaction. In effect, swimming lowers stress and makes one’s body more relaxed like that in a yoga session.
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