Much research shows that exercise is important throughout life, and it’s especially important for older adults for maintaining balance, strength, independence, and physical and emotional health. But it’s also true that older adults are likely to have arthritis and other joint or health issues that can make certain types of exercise painful or even dangerous.
But swimming is just one great exercise that is an excellent option for older adults who enjoy it. Here are the recognized health benefits of swimming for seniors:
- It’s good for heart health. Swimming is an aerobic exercise, so it helps the heart become stronger and more easily pump blood throughout your body. It also has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and inflammation by preventing build-ups in the arteries.
- Swimming is especially good at reducing the likelihood of osteoarthritis, especially in post-menopausal women by preserving bone density.
- Because water supports our body weight, it’s easier on the joints than any other aerobic exercise. Going running or doing an at-home workout routine can be hard on the knees, hips, spine and neck. But swimming gives you a full-body workout without putting any pressure on your joints.
- Swimming tones muscles and increases your flexibility. Flexibility is important for older adults because range of motion can sometimes be limited by various health issues related to aging. Working your muscles is very important because stable, strong muscles support the joints, especially the knees, and can prevent falls and other injuries.
- Any exercise releases endorphins in the brain, which elevate one’s mood. But swimming has been shown to relieve stress and improve the mood, likely because swimming isn’t painful for most people but also, oftentimes, it connects you to family and friends.
If you wear hearing aids, just make sure to remove them before swimming and keep them in a sealed, waterproof case. Don’t reinsert your hearing aids until your hair and ears are completely dry to avoid potential damage due to moisture.
