Along with the swimming-related health perks we’ve already mentioned, there are still more ways swimming can boost your physical fitness. These include greater flexibility, improved bone, and joint health, and increased levels of endurance. In this next article, we’ll take a look at why these benefits are so important and how swimming is an ideal way to work toward reaching both of these fitness goals.

Swimming Can Improve Joint Flexibility and Strengthen Bones

If you’ve noticed yourself growing increasingly stiff and sore as the years go by, you’re not alone. Muscle soreness and joint stiffness is a common problem for adults, and it often tends to get worse with age. That’s because the aging process can cause muscles to become smaller and weaker over time. Tough fibers actually develop in place of muscle tissue, and muscles don’t contract as easily as they once did. These muscle changes can cause you to begin to tire more easily. Likewise, the fluid which provides a cushioning effect between joints tends to decrease as you age. This, along with thinning cartilage and shortening ligaments, can cause joint stiffness to occur. Another common problem aging adults face is bone tissue loss. This typically happens because of hormonal changes, calcium and mineral loss, and a sedentary lifestyle. Age-related joint stiffness, muscle weakness, and bone tissue loss can lead to serious health conditions like osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pain.

Thankfully, there’s something you can do to reduce the negative impact aging can have on your body. Continuing to engage in regular exercise well into your golden years can reduce or even reverse these problems. You may not be able to avoid growing older, but you can slow down the effects of aging on your body simply by staying active.

As you age, swimming may be one of the best options for exercise. That’s because it’s low impact and won’t put unnecessary strain on your joints. You also don’t run the risk of falling and breaking weakened bones. As you swim, your muscles and joints can become more flexible. After a high-impact workout, swimming can help your body to recover from activities that build up lactic acid in your system. This combination can significantly reduce the occurrence of soreness and stiffness you may tend to experience the day after you work out.

Swimming Increases Your Level of Endurance

Have you ever noticed that you can swim longer than you can run, cycle, or jog? There are a number of reasons for this phenomenon. For starters, as was already mentioned, the low-impact nature of swimming makes it easier on your joints. Being surrounded by cool water also keeps your body at a comfortable temperature which can help you not to tire out as easily. The longer the time you spend swimming, the more beneficial your workout will be. You’ll burn a greater number of calories as well as work out your body’s muscles for longer periods of time. Spending increasing amounts of time in the pool as you build up your endurance will also help you to develop greater endurance for other physical activities.

As you can see, there are a whole host of reasons why swimming is a great way to improve your physical fitness. In the last installment of our article series below, we’ll take a look at some ways swimming in your backyard pool can also improve your mental and emotional health.

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