The Olympic champion Mireia Belmonte has just launched her online course at Unycos. Taking advantage of this launch, she wanted to tell – according to her valuable experience – what are the benefits of doing sports in the water.
Swimming takes care of our bodies and our minds. It is one of the most recommended sports at a medical level thanks to its extraordinary power to strengthen our health (Mireia Belmonte, Olympic champion).
It is relatively easy to practice it because in summer you can use the pool or the sea and in winter it is not difficult to find gyms or municipal sports centers with an Olympic or semi-Olympic pool.
THE BENEFITS OF SWIMMING
In a very synthetic way, it can be said that swimming is a sport that is recommended for all ages, from babies to the elderly. Its practice provides multiple benefits.
“It favors a better physical condition, helps reduce stress and improves lung capacity”, explains Belmonte, who adds: “For all this, doctors usually recommend it in more than 80% of cases”.
Compared to other sports, for example, contact sports, swimming has a great advantage: the low risk of injury and the involvement of a large number of muscles in its performance.
The 6 main benefits of swimming are:
-Being an activity that develops the muscles of the whole body, it improves elasticity and strengthens the joints at the same time. “As it floats through the water, it is more pleasant for the joints and for the muscles than other contact sports. It is a gentle discipline ”, affirms Belmonte.
-Unlike other aerobic sports such as athletics or cycling, it increases flexibility and promotes coordination and agility.
-Swimming helps to have a better balance and, at the same time, to achieve a more efficient and faster reaction time. When practicing this sport, blood flow increases, and with it, memory is also greatly improved and learning is promoted.
-It is an exercise that helps to control stress, anxiety, and to elevate the mood. According to the swimmer, it contributes “to improving self-confidence and developing our independence.” And as it is an individual sport, “it allows you to focus on yourself, reflect and disconnect from day to day,” says Fred Vergnoux, Mireia’s coach.
-It is a recommended sport for all age groups. From the smallest to the elderly can benefit from its practice.
-Together with proper nutrition and hydration, it promotes restful sleep and rest.
