Facts About Swimming
Many people enjoy swimming whether it is in a public or private swimming pool or an open lake or sea. There’s just something inviting and thrilling about being in the water. Swimming in itself is simply exhilarating. The good thing about having this much fun is that there are also many health benefits to be had. At the same time, there are a few health dangers that must be considered before jumping in the water. Here are a few useful and fun facts about swimming.
Healthy Facts about Swimming
There are tons of health benefits to be achieved from swimming. This form of aerobic exercise is enjoyable, rewarding and fun. Swimming and other types of water sports are gaining popularity like never before. Here are some of the health benefits that we get from swimming:
· Helps fight obesity
· Increases energy levels
· Builds muscular strength
· Relieves back and join pain
· Helps build stamina and endurance
· Strengthens the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
US and Swimming Facts
Swimming is one of the most popular summertime sports in the US. However, due to the increase in the number of gyms and fitness centers, many can now benefit from swimming and water activities on a year round basis. Here are some stats and facts about the popularity of this type of exercise:
· Swimming comes in fourth with the most popular recreational activities in the US
· Swimming is the most popular activity for recreational purposes for children in the US
· More than 90 million people over 16 years of age swim in open waters like oceans, lakes and rivers every year
· 36% of children between the ages of 7 and 17 swim at least 6 times each year
· 15% of adults swim at least 6 times per year
Swimming Facts and Health Risks
As many health benefits as there are associated with swimming many might find it surprising that there are also health risks associated with this sport. Some of the most common health conditions reported as a result of swimming include:
· Swimmer’s ear
· Eye infections
· Skin infections
· Diarrhea
· Fever
· Sunburn
There are also many germs found in waters that are frequently used for swimming. For instance, according to the CDC in one year:
· 81 separate water associated outbreaks were reported
· 55% of these outbreaks were caused by Crypto and caused gastroenteritis
· More than 1 out of 5 adults still do not know that swimming when ill (specifically with diarrhea) can contaminate the water and cause others to become ill
· Cryptosporidium is a parasite that is resistant to chlorine and it can live for 3.5 to 10.6 days even in a properly chlorinated swimming pool
Facts about Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is one of the most common conditions associated with swimming. But some things you may not know about swimmer’s ear include:
· Swimmer’s ear is not contagious – it’s an infection caused by bacteria
· Over 6.2 million cases of swimmer’s ear are reported annually
· Swimmer’s ear is most commonly found in teens who spend large amounts of time swimming
· CDC reports swimmer’s ear costs about $500 million per year for treatments
Avoiding Diseases Associated with Swimming
The Centers for Disease Control has offered a few suggestions for being safe at the swimming pool. Here are some of the things you should be looking for before ever stepping in the water:
· The water should be clear and clean
· Sides of the pool should be smooth (tiles shouldn’t be sticky or broken)
· No odor
· Working pool equipment
· Pool staff should be well trained
· Ask when pH levels have been checked
· As about the health inspector’s grade for the pool
You can also be proactive when it comes to your health and swimming. Learning about the different types of water related illnesses can help you avoid coming in contact with them. By asking specific questions of those who run public swimming pools they are being held accountable. It’s also important to inform pool owners of how important the well-being and health of all swimmers is to you. You can also observe some common sense rules and help protect others from water related illnesses by staying out of the water if you are sick, or have diarrhea, shower prior to getting in the pool, don’t pee when you are in the water and do not swallow pool water.
Healthy Facts about Swimming
There are tons of health benefits to be achieved from swimming. This form of aerobic exercise is enjoyable, rewarding and fun. Swimming and other types of water sports are gaining popularity like never before. Here are some of the health benefits that we get from swimming:
· Helps fight obesity
· Increases energy levels
· Builds muscular strength
· Relieves back and join pain
· Helps build stamina and endurance
· Strengthens the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
US and Swimming Facts
Swimming is one of the most popular summertime sports in the US. However, due to the increase in the number of gyms and fitness centers, many can now benefit from swimming and water activities on a year round basis. Here are some stats and facts about the popularity of this type of exercise:
· Swimming comes in fourth with the most popular recreational activities in the US
· Swimming is the most popular activity for recreational purposes for children in the US
· More than 90 million people over 16 years of age swim in open waters like oceans, lakes and rivers every year
· 36% of children between the ages of 7 and 17 swim at least 6 times each year
· 15% of adults swim at least 6 times per year
Swimming Facts and Health Risks
As many health benefits as there are associated with swimming many might find it surprising that there are also health risks associated with this sport. Some of the most common health conditions reported as a result of swimming include:
· Swimmer’s ear
· Eye infections
· Skin infections
· Diarrhea
· Fever
· Sunburn
There are also many germs found in waters that are frequently used for swimming. For instance, according to the CDC in one year:
· 81 separate water associated outbreaks were reported
· 55% of these outbreaks were caused by Crypto and caused gastroenteritis
· More than 1 out of 5 adults still do not know that swimming when ill (specifically with diarrhea) can contaminate the water and cause others to become ill
· Cryptosporidium is a parasite that is resistant to chlorine and it can live for 3.5 to 10.6 days even in a properly chlorinated swimming pool
Facts about Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear is one of the most common conditions associated with swimming. But some things you may not know about swimmer’s ear include:
· Swimmer’s ear is not contagious – it’s an infection caused by bacteria
· Over 6.2 million cases of swimmer’s ear are reported annually
· Swimmer’s ear is most commonly found in teens who spend large amounts of time swimming
· CDC reports swimmer’s ear costs about $500 million per year for treatments
Avoiding Diseases Associated with Swimming
The Centers for Disease Control has offered a few suggestions for being safe at the swimming pool. Here are some of the things you should be looking for before ever stepping in the water:
· The water should be clear and clean
· Sides of the pool should be smooth (tiles shouldn’t be sticky or broken)
· No odor
· Working pool equipment
· Pool staff should be well trained
· Ask when pH levels have been checked
· As about the health inspector’s grade for the pool
You can also be proactive when it comes to your health and swimming. Learning about the different types of water related illnesses can help you avoid coming in contact with them. By asking specific questions of those who run public swimming pools they are being held accountable. It’s also important to inform pool owners of how important the well-being and health of all swimmers is to you. You can also observe some common sense rules and help protect others from water related illnesses by staying out of the water if you are sick, or have diarrhea, shower prior to getting in the pool, don’t pee when you are in the water and do not swallow pool water.