Swimming is a universal sport. It is one of the prominent sports worldwide. In this day and age, most individuals know how to swim. It is clear that there are quite a number of swim clubs, recreation centres, golf clubhouses and many other facilities that feature swimming pools. Many high schools and colleges have competitive swim teams; and of course, swimming is one of the most popular Olympic sports. Furthermore, swimming is suitable for all ages; from 4-year-olds to 94-year-olds. This is because swimming is relatively easy. As well as being fun, swimming is a great way to keep fit, stay healthy and make friends. It is especially favourable for the elders. There are numerous benefits for the elders to swim compared to doing any other exercise. …show more content…
This is because water has buoyancy. This certain physical property of water helps the elders to exercise with ease. Water can neutralise the pull of gravity when they immerse themselves during swimming. Barbara Russi Sarnataro (2009) stated when the human body is immersed to the waist, the body bears only 50% of its weight; immersed to the chest it becomes 25% to 35% and when immersed to the neck, the body only bears merely 10% of the full weight. In addition, water can act as a padding to stiff joints and fragile bones. Thus, water helps to take pressure off the elders’ joints. For example, seniors with arthritis or other physical disabilities can use swimming as a rehabilitation therapy to relieve pain and improve the condition of their joints. This is proven as said by Robert A. Robergs, a director of the exercise physiology laboratories at The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, “It is a good, whole-body exercise that has low impact for people with arthritis, musculoskeletal, or weight limitations” (as cited by Sarnataro, …show more content…
It is an aerobic exercise that aids to increase heart function during exercise. When the seniors swim, it helps their hearts to become stronger, larger and more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body with regular exercise. The exercise can help increase blood flow which in turn reduces the risk of coronary heart disease (Carefect, 2012). Besides that, it actually reduces inflammation of the heart by preventing fatty build-ups or plaque development in the arteries and blockage in the capillaries. Furthermore, it helps increase metabolism rate by regular exercise with intervals of fast and medium speeds, which helps the elders to become more energetic and healthy. Moreover, according to Dr. Hirofumi Tanaka, director of the University of Texas's Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory, he has found substantial proof that consistent swimming heightens the control of blood-sugar levels in the body, which lessens the possibility of diabetes (as cited by Hutchinson,
In recent years, western civilization has adopted Tai Chi as not only a physical activity, but also a highly recommended rehabilitation method. Within physical therapy, Tai Chi is looked upon as an intervention to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.1 Since the aging adult experiences a decline in balance and more than one-third of those 65 years and older experience a fall related incident each year, it is logical to purport that regular participation in Tai Chi may be an ideal exercise program for the geriatric population.2 However, is Tai Chi physically and cognitively suitable for all elderly individuals? What factors should the Physical Therapist consider before recommending Tai Chi? Though the initial idea seems ideal for the geriatric population to improve these deficits, are all geriatric patients truly suitable to partake in this group activity?
Another great benefit of living for many years is all the experience that came with them. When someone has past their fifties or sixties they no longer have a life full of drama like most of
McGuire, T. (2012, October). Georgia department of education annual fitness assessment report. Retrieved from GaDOE: http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Curriculum-and-Instruction/Documents/Georgia%20Annual%20Fitness%20Assessment%20Report%202012.pdf
Diving has gotten away from the stereotype based on the early days of diving, that it is a rough and tough sport requiring extreme endurance and strength. Today it is viewed as an activity done by both men and women and even children. While diving is promoted as a leisure sport, it is still a sport. One that takes an amount of physical activity. We start by carrying heavy tanks on our backs. We are in constant motion for the entire dive. Even breathing is a more difficult as we must overcome the additional pressure on our body as we expand our chest.
There are three essential components to ageing gracefully and successfully; ‘low probability of disease and disability, high cognitive and physical functional capacity and active engagement with life.’ (Edwards, 2011) It is recommended that people aged over 65 require adequate fitness levels so that they can ‘maintain their independence, recover from any illnesses and also prevent disease.’ (Better Health Channel, 2014) This essay investigates how staying active in later life will improve the health and well-being of older people by unpacking the health benefits to physical activity later in life as well as how this activity contributes to improving health and wellness. It is said that healthy ageing should ideally start in childhood and be
Weil, Richard. "Swimming." Ed. William C. Sheil. MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet, 2013. Web. 31 Dec. 2013. .
da Silveira Sarmento, G., Pegoraro, A. N., & Cordeiro, R. C. (2011). Aquatic physical therapy as a treatment modality in healthcare for non-institutionalized elderly persons: a systematic review. Einstein (16794508), 9(1), 84-89.
elders, taught swimming lessons to young children, and led water aerobic classes for older adults. These
“I’ve often wondered what it would be like if we taught young people swimming the same way we teach sexuality. If we told them that swimming was an important adult activity one they will all have to be skilled at when they grow up, but we never talked with them about it. We never showed them the pool . . . but when they asked a question about how swimming felt or what it was about, they would be greeted with blank or embarrassed looks . . . Miraculously, some might learn to tread water, but many would drown” (11).
One balmy summer morning my friends convinced me to come swim in Grapevine Lake, which would be very enticing if I was a strong swimmer or had any swimming experience whatsoever. However, I’m not going to ruin a good, scorching summer day staying home wasting my time playing video
Koocher, Gerald P. "Swimming, Competence, and Personality Change." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (1971): 275-278.
As people get older many of them begin to get more inactive. Older peoples’ health risk increases when they stop participating in physical activities. When people get older their bone tissue is reduced, which consequently influences bones to become weaker, and commonly leading to osteoporosis. “The social aspects of sport has been confirmed by the other researchers that social engagement was the key ingredient enticing many participate in sport” (Berlin, Klenosky, 2014). Older people participate in sports to relieve stress, to have fun and to play games with improved health and fitness as an additional benefit of the activity. Older adults can live healthy and long life by involving themselves into sports which helps them to loosen their muscles
Lack of physical body exercises; basing on their tight schedules, most adults allocate little time or none at all for body exercises, subjecting themselves to cardiovascular body problems which may trigger harmful cases such heart attack, high blood pressure, heart/kidney failure, among others. Moreover, body exercises also enhance the functioning of body systems, organs, tissues and cells, which is instrumental for the health of adults. This can be improved through deliberate support to old individuals, and creation of awareness for them to embrace
At the age of 16 I began looking into competitive swimming techniques, teaching myself each stroke and repeating them; wanting to be better than just a doggy paddle and a deep breath underwater. My junior year of high school, I
Being physical active can help strengthen bones and muscles, which can make everyday tasks easier to perform. As stated before water can help people lose weight, but another way people can lose weight is by exercising. Exercising helps people lose weight by helping them burn the right amount of calories daily. Exercising can also help people live longer, by helping the body protect itself from many diseases. Many people use Exercise as a form of meditation, because it can be very relaxing for people. I love going to the gym after a stressful week, because strangely enough after my workout I feel more peaceful and calm.