When choosing a sport, a significant number of people opt for swimming, an activity that is practiced throughout the year and that offers a multitude of health benefits. It is an exercise that can be enjoyed at any stage of life and is preferred by many due to its various positive attributes. Many people and specialists call swimming one of the most complete sports, if not the most.
However, why swimming is the most complete sport? In this article we are going to tell you what the possible reasons for this are.
Benefits and advantages of swimming
Swimming offers a wide range of benefits. These include improving joint mobility and flexibility, as well as increasing muscle strength. Additionally, the hydrostatic pressure exerted by water during swimming provides a drainage effect and helps reduce inflammation, which makes it especially beneficial for people with circulation problems.
Furthermore, our body experiences these beneficial results, both at the level of muscular and cardiorespiratory functions, since it activates various systems that are not normally compromised. This low-impact form of exercise introduces our body to an unfamiliar environment, which produces these positive effects.
Swimming is classified as a low-impact activity due to the unique properties of water. In the aquatic environment, the force of our body weight on the ground is significantly reduced compared to outside. This is because water provides resistance that makes movement easier and decreases the effort needed to stop.
When submerged in water up to their necks, People can experience a body weight reduction of almost 90 percent. The absence of gravity, made possible by floating during swimming, allows you to perform movements and gestures that would otherwise be painful or pose a risk of injury.
Why is swimming the most complete sport?
By many specialists and a large number of people, swimming is considered the most complete sport. Swimming is a very complete sport that involves the muscles of the arms, trunk and legs. However, this raises the question: Can people of all ages participate in swimming?
Swimming is a versatile activity that people of all ages can enjoy, from childhood to advanced adulthood, as long as there are no medical restrictions. Additionally, Puerto notes that there is a growing trend for pools to be designed specifically to accommodate infants and people with limited mobility.
Which people benefit the most from swimming?
Practicing the sport of swimming can be beneficial for anyone. This sport is beneficial for most people, from an early age, as long as there are no medical reasons that prevent them from practicing. From a preventive point of view, this activity is recommended for people who have sedentary jobs or perform repetitive movements, since It helps counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting or repetitive movements. In addition, swimming is especially advantageous for people with disabilities.
Many people wonder if there is any swimming style that is more complete than another. It is important to recognize that no particular swimming style is inherently more advantageous to health than another. Instead, It is crucial to consider the unique characteristics of each individual to adapt the activity to their specific needs.
In this regard, two key factors that come into play must be highlighted: the individual's swimming level and their ability to navigate in the aquatic environment, as well as existing injuries that may hinder their ability to perform certain strokes due to pain. Therefore, The recommendation and benefits of a specific swimming style are best determined with the guidance of a physical therapist. Regarding the question of when and for how long you should swim, the answer may vary depending on individual circumstances and should be consulted with a professional.
Regarding the frequency necessary to perform this sport, it is highly individualized, since it depends on the interaction of the practitioner with his environment and the need to personalize the stimuli to achieve the desired benefits. On the other hand, the ideal is to practice this sport two or three times a week, for thirty to forty-five minutes each session.
Swimming-related injuries
Although it is considered one of the most complete sports, swimming is not free of injuries. While this particular sport tends to cause fewer injuries compared to more forceful ones, it is important not to overlook its potential risks. Negligence in areas such as proper technique, inadequate muscle strength or flexibility, and insufficient nutrition or hydration can lead to undesirable results.
Most of these injuries occur in soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons and ligaments, and are usually the result of excessive tension during training sessions. Consequently, this leads to the development of certain injuries, especially in the shoulders, since they have a wider range of motion. A common injury that arises is known as "swimmer's shoulder." Besides, People may experience pain in the cervical and lumbar (lower back) regions, as well as hoffitis, which refers to irritation of the fat pad located in the knee.
In addition to these injuries, certain diseases can also arise as a result of practicing water sports, specifically due to the aquatic environment, such as otitis externa or swimmer's ear, as well as various dermatological conditions.
It is important to recognize any discomfort experienced while playing sports, including swimming, and seek medical attention immediately if it becomes repetitive. This proactive approach allows for timely diagnosis and facilitates rapid recovery. Failure to address these issues can lead to the development of injuries that can worsen over time. and potentially become chronic.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about why swimming is the most complete sport.