As a child, and having Cerebral Palsy I wasn’t keen on swimming, primarily because people would constantly stare at me, but swimming is something that everyone can do. It is not age related and it benefits everyone.
About swimming
Swimming is known for it’s all round aerobic exercise because it works all the major muscle groups and targets all areas of the body. It is also easy to tailor the different strokes to exercise specific parts of the body, depending on the stroke. Because of the constant resistance to the water, swimming is one of the best exercises for improving strength, particularly in the upper body.
It is good for general strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness. It can also be used as a cross-training element to assist with other workouts.
The more effort we make in the pool as we swim, the more our muscle and heart rate activity is increased. Swimming helps the body cool down after strenuous exercise and allows the muscles to recover quickly. It can also be used as a recuperation sport to help with injuries and helps professional athletes.
Swimming improves general health
Swimming can generally improve our health and may even reduce the risk of illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and strokes. Swimming builds muscle and helps burn fat. The body continues to use energy to recover and rebuild muscle tissue, even after a swim.
Swimming is also good for people with different disabilities and should always continue to be encouraged.
I agree. Swimming is very good exercise. It's especially good for people with disabilities and certain diseases such as Diabetes, Fibromyalgia and fatigue.
It's enjoyable and not so strenuous that you have to recover from it after you do it. It has been recommended to me several times as a good exercise that I can do without straining myself and it is good for my little patients with low muscle tone.
I have several friends with pools and have free access to them, but there are other places with access such as gyms and the "Y". I just have to get myself to go and do it just as I do with other things.
It doesn't help if we don't do it!
You're right, it's a good all round sport.
I almost drowned 3 times in my life, so I'm not going for number 4. Of course the first two were when someone threw me in the water. Not a wise thing to do. I am not comfortable around water.
I can understand Randy why you're not so comfortable around water now. That would very much make sense. I hope it's not left you with a phobia about water, although I can understand your reluctance.
I love swimming! Even though I've played other sports I've done swimming the longest and it still remains my favorite.
It gives me a great since of freedom and it's a lot easier then walking and running for me.
I'm glad you love swimming LeAnna. I wish I even liked it! I think everyone staring at me all those years ago, put me off for life.
Swimming is my favorite. It really helps me strengthen my legs.
Swimming is a great all round exercise, both for aerobic fitness and toning, especially as it is weight bearing. Keep it up!
Hi Ilana, visiting your site for the first time after discovering it via facebook. I'm with you, I was put off from swimming by people staring at my legs.
I did join a gym and also tried to pick quiet times at the pool. Beware joining a gym, anyone who has poor health combined with cerebral palsy. I paid handsomely for the privilege and was unable to use it enough to make it worth it. I wasted a lot of money that way, becos I was scared to admit I just wasn't physically capable of such exercise.
That was, until I discovered hydrotherapy, physiotherapy in the water. A physiotherapist (physical therapist) assessed me in the water and designed a list of exercises to match my capabilities. I totally love it, a small pool, with hoists, floats and only disabled people and or carers/assistants allowed to use it.
Horse riding is good too. Happy to help you write about this.
Welcome to the site Jackie. Yes it does make life difficult when you're dealing with something and obvious for other people to see. Unfortunately we're not living in a world where disability (whether our disability is mild or not) is accepted. The world's getting better though.
Not knowing I had CP until the age of 46 made it very difficult for me to do something like hydrotherapy or physiotherapy in the water. I did physiotherapy every week, but I was never sure why I was doing it or whether my parents knew why?
Pleased you found something that works. I am sure what you have written here will help others too; give them food for thought on what they deal with.