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what are the risks of swimming?
this low impact sport combines a cardio and strength workout, but splashing around in a pool will always carry some risks.
aug 8 2022
2 minute read
swimming as an activity has been around for centuries, but wasn’t recognized as a sport around the world until the late 1800s. getty
swimming is among the most refreshing ways to get a workout in.
when it’s too hot for a run, the swim stands as both a refreshing dip and a way to get cardio in quick. plus, who doesn’t just enjoy a good lounge in the pool on a hot day?
9,000 year old cave paintings of people swimming have been found
swimming as an activity has been around for centuries, but wasn’t recognized as a sport around the world until the late 1800s.
cave paintings of people swimming were found in egypt, and are estimated to be between 6,000-9,000 years old. as a sport, swimming was included in the first modern olympic games, held in athens in 1896.
the governing body of swimming in canada is swimming canada, which oversees national programs for swimmers at every level from beginners to olympic hopefuls. the organization, previously known as the canadian amateur swimming association, was established in 1909 after robert zimmerman was the first canadian swimmer to appear at an olympic games.
swimming is a low-impact and cardio-intensive workout
swimming is an easily scalable sport that allows people at different levels to enjoy it. if you head to the community pool for some laps, the odds are good that you’ll see people taking their time and doing an easy breaststroke, and others going as hard as they can in freestyle in the next lane.
swimming is also a low impact sport, making it a good choice for people with joint pain, according to swimming world . that doesn’t mean your muscles won’t hurt after a good swim, however.
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as a cardio workout, swimming improves heart health as well. cardio is great for getting blood pumping and the heart pounding, which can ease the risk of developing heart disease.
there are also several different forms of swimming to choose from that all provide a solid workout. standard lane swimming, synchronized swimming, and other water activities such as water polo, water aerobics, and workouts with water weights are all ways to mix up standard swimming.
water can carry risks for even the most experienced swimmers
if you don’t know how to swim, or push yourself too hard, drowning is a real risk. even for professionals, incidents such as anita alvarez’s shallow water blackout can be dangerous.
even though the sport is low impact, there are still injuries that can occur. swimmer’s shoulder is found in nearly half of collegiate level swimmers . the injury is essentially inflammation of the tendons and tissues that connect muscle to bone in the shoulder.
there’s also the risk of swimmer’s ear, a bacterial infection that’s usually found in children, but can happen to anyone, according to the centers for disease control.
always bring a buddy when you go swimming
swimming makes a great alternative to running while getting good cardio in thanks to its low impact on joints. it’s easily scalable for a variety of different skill levels with all sorts of movements and manoeuvres people can do to make it easier or more difficult. it’s also relatively safe provided you already know how to swim. look for a lifeguard on duty before you go swimming and never go swimming alone.
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chris arnold is a toronto-based writer.
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