The physiological and pedagogic effects of swimming

Weather swimming leisurely or competitively, the effects on the body is both healthy and beneficial. Not only does swimming improve our health, it also positively affects nervous-, bone-, and muscle functions and systems. Plus, it is an enjoyable way to get some exercise. Swimming is a full body work-out, swimming strokes utilise all the major muscle groups and keep our neck, shoulders, hip, arms and legs flexible. The temperature changes of water can be considered a super efficient way of enhancing the functions of veins. Evidently it also improves cardiovascular system as well as our breathing. As a therapy it has a great number of advantages. Swimming is suggested curing allergy and asthmatic problems. The immune system reacts quickly to its effects and enhances the defence system of our body. Heart muscles become stronger, increase circulation and improve ability to control and maintain healthy weight. Consistent and gentle load renews energy and helps over weight children. It gives new strength and enhanced energy. Due to the resistance of water more intensive work outs can be done in water than on land. It is less stressful, the temperature of our body decreases and we do not sweat in water. Swimming spares our joints therefore injuries are rare. As it puts little burden on our spine and skeletal system swimming is suggested for obese grown up people and those who suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. Children’s ontogenetic changes have two main phases; one is when their spine, dorsal and cervical curvatures start developing. In water the degree of gravitation decreases, we float therefore it disencumbers our spine and lower limbs. The horizontal posture in water strengthens the muscles of our spine. One of the best means of changing poor posture is swimming. The second phase is when our body starts growing and parallel with it muscles may not get strengthened. The problems of musculoskeletal can have several reasons and most of these problems are diagnosed when children go to school. Children are made to work so hard that there are not many opportunities provided to do physical exercises. They also spend too much time sitting and very often their sitting posture worsens their health. It is swimming that can help correcting deformations in, for example, sagittal plane (flat back, kypholordotic posture, significant groin lordosis and swayback) as well as in horizontal deformations, such as scoliosis. Certain swimming techniques greatly affect (free style, backstroke and dolphin swimming) the physiological curvature of spine and the strengthening of spine muscles around groin. Swimming is proven to be great for both mind and body and rehabilitates muscles, and increases bone density. The load bearing capacity of bone strength is also strengthened by swimming. Those people’ skeletal system has become better who swim in their free-time. Spine is the part of our body that gets frayed easily. The first signs of deformations can be observed as soon as at the age of 18. Knee joints play essential roles in movement related to carrying the body weight. The joint is bathed in synovial fluid. The disks can get compressed and it means that the fluid may flow away causing serious pains. Swimming can ease this pain and delay degeneration. When swimming our spine is not under pressure therefore disks can have more fluid and they will regain their shape. Swimming improves body posture (scoliosis in case of teenagers). Thus work-outs in water help rehabilitation and recreation. It is also suggested for curing cardiovascular diseases and after operations and accidents. It has also positive impact on our respiratory system. Hydrostatic pressure makes inhalation difficult and supports exhalation therefore increases the growth of chest muscles. It is a fact that most physical exercises are not useful for people having respiratory complaints. Asthma is unknown among swimmers as the water they inhale is warm and damp. The air right above the water is clean, free of dust and smoke. Regular swimming respiratory system develops optimally, lung-ventilation increases, the quantity of inhaled air will grow and breath per minute will decrease. At the same time swimmers will need less oxygen than those who have sedentary lifestyle. As gravity decreases in water it supports heart operation. After exhalation the negative pleural pressure has suction effect on veins, helps venous back flow which is reinforced by hydrostatic pressure.  Muscular work quickens blood circulation and extracts the unnecessary and harmful substances. Capillary circuit grows and the chance of infarct decreases and blood distribution changes. During years heart may harden. It has become evident that the risks of cardiovascular diseases will decrease due to regular swimming. It also decreases the danger of arteriosclerosis.