Swimming: A sport for both body and mind

Of all the aerobic activities which support our well-being, swimming is in a class of its own. It is a gentle yet total-body workout, and its benefits extend beyond physical: swimming also has a surprising effect on the brain.

As well as promoting overall wellness, swimming has very tangible effects on the heart and blood flow. Many studies have shown that it strengthens the heart muscle and helps lower blood pressure.

Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart and blood flow in the arteries and veins. They include heart attack, heart failure, stroke and inflammation of a vein (phlebitis).

Severity and symptoms vary with the cause. Here are a few examples:

• Heart disorder: chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, tiredness, dizziness, fainting, swollen legs and ankles;
• Peripheral disorder: pain in a limb (often a leg), feeling cold, muscle cramps or fatigue, vertigo, swelling, dizziness;
• Phlebitis (leg): pain, redness, swollen calf. If complicated by a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism): chest pain and difficulty breathing (dyspnea).

Swimming moves all the main muscle and joint groups. Because water is much denser than air, the body has to make a much greater effort when swimming than it does when walking or running. Not only does the resistance make the arms and legs work hard, but also areas like the shoulders, back and buttock muscles. Swimming is one of the most complete sports for toning the upper part of the body.

Compared with many other physical activities, swimming is a very low- impact sport — unless you dive in, obviously! In the water, our body weight is reduced to less than 10% of what it is on land, considerably relieving pressure on the joints. This is a valuable advantage for people who are overweight or have osteoarthritis, or any other joint damage.

Did you know? Swimming is a great ally for your back

Quebec’s Professional Order of Physiotherapy (OPPQ) points out that swimming regularly for 30 minutes, twice a week (or more), can reduce back pain significantly. Some studies go even further: swimming is the only sport that can prevent and relieve low-back pain in children.

Swimming is good for the body, but also for the mind. By improving blood flow in the brain, swimming promotes the release of serotonin and dopamine, hormones which are often associated with feelings of wellbeing and happiness. Swimming makes us feel better!

Many studies show that swimming can relieve anxiety, improve mood and reduce depression symptoms (4). In other words, swimming lifts our spirits and helps us feel more alert… and we feel those results long after we get out of the water!

Swimming is a low-impact sport, making it a safe activity for recreational swimmers. However, as with any discipline, frequent or intense swimming can lead to injuries related to repetitive movements. Styles like the butterfly, front crawl and backstroke can be particularly hard on the shoulders and sometimes cause pain. People who swim at a high level can also experience back and knee pain.

Here are a few signs of shoulder pain to watch for:

• Cracking in the shoulder, in or out of the water;
• Discomfort while swimming;
• Sharp, intense pain during an upward movement (like reaching for a high object or brushing your hair).

Luckily, most of these injuries are not serious and tend to go away on their own over time. If they persist, some can be managed using physiotherapy, which can correct posture or treatment, if necessary. In more complex cases, a healthcare professional may use the many imaging techniques available, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which produces images of specific body parts or Doppler ultrasound, which examines blood flow to understand the source of the problem better.

Swimming is more than just a summer sport: we can swim outdoors in good weather and indoor pools year-round. It is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical condition, and does not require much equipment: a bathing suit, bathing cap and swimming goggles, if needed.

Some people even consider swimming to be a genuine fountain of youth (5)! So, make the most of the summer and let the water tempt you — your body and your mind will thank you!

We provide services that can help your doctor diagnose disorders musculoskeletal disorders and determine the right treatment.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Osteoarticular computed tomography scan (CT scan)
• Doppler ultrasound

Do you have a medical prescription for one of these exams? Book an appointment online.