There are a many reasons why swimming and water-based exercise
may be the best choice for seniors. Water based exercises are
second only to walking in lowest rates for injuries. They are
commonly used for physical therapy modes for those recovering
from major surgery. Water also provides more options for those
who are lacking in general fitness or have a prior injury that
makes land based activity difficult. Finally, water based
activities work the entire body, serving as a form of both
strength training even as aerobic training takes place.
Swimming utilizes nearly all major muscle groups simultaneously,
imparting a total body work out. Because of the inherent
resistance of the water, swimming develops both muscle strength
and endurance, as well as helps flexibility.
Because of its horde of effects, swimming provides almost all of
the aerobic benefits of running even as it yields many of the
benefits of resistance training thrown in. Because swimming does
not put the strain on connective tissues that running, aerobics
and some weight-training regimens do, swimming is the kind of
low-impact work out that is perfect for seniors seeking to
regain or maintain their fitness.
This is a sport especially gentle to those who are physically
challenged. The buoyancy factor of water makes swimming the most
injury-free exercise available. So it is specifically
interesting to seniors, especially those with any type of joint
issues. In water, a person's body weight is reduced by 90% as
compared to its weight on land. For example, a 220 pound man
will weigh about 22 pounds if he is standing in chin deep water.
Exercises in water can also be done more often because of the
low incidence of injuries and it is more effective for
exercising the entire body as any movement in water 12 times
greater resistance than movement in air.
For the elderly, water fitness is safe, fills the need for
exercise, increases a body's range of motion and is a low-impact
exercise.
About the author:
Isabelle Boulay is a writer and contributor to
www.Medopedia.com, where you can find information on
arthritis
treatments and
tre
atments for high blood pressure.