Health  information about swimming Post to Twitter Last updated: July 20, 2009 FEATURE ARTICLE: DISCLAIMER: Central Dynamics, Inc. (Manufacturers of the River pool described in this web site)  cannot support or deny any of the claims introduced in the following article and does not specifically support or is responsible for any of the links provided below.  For more information on specific advantages of swimming and/or water exercises, please contact your physician or medical association.   Study Reveals that Swimming Can Cut in half Men's Risk of Dying Research shows swimming may be the prescription for longevity REUTERS, Feb. 2, 2009 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 2, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study shows that swimming cuts men's risk of dying by about 50% compared to runners, walkers and sedentary peers. The University of South Carolina study led by Dr. Steven Blair evaluated comprehensive physical exams and behavioral surveys from thousands of people who were enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS) over the last 32 years. The results were presented at the 2008 World Aquatic Health(TM) Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and have been published in the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. "Swimmers had the lowest death rate," explains Blair. He adds that the study takes into account age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, hypertension, other medical factors and family history. "This is the first report that examined mortality rates among swimmers in comparison with other types of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle. We conclude that men who swim for exercise have better survival rates than their sedentary peers," he summarizes. The ACLS includes extensive medical and physical activity data on more than 40,000 men, age 20-90 years. "These lower rates in swimmers compared with walkers and sedentary men might well be expected," comments Dr. Blair, "but it is surprising that we also observed lower mortality in swimmers than in runners," he adds. "Therefore, swimming appears to be a healthful alternative to other types of physical activity." The study population was limited to white, well-educated, middle- to upper-class men. While this limits the generalizability of the study, it should not affect the study's internal validity, advises Blair. He explains that, "there is no compelling reason to assume that the benefits of swimming would be different for women or for men in other socioeconomic groups. In an earlier study in this same population we found that both women and men had similar benefits from swimming in terms of fitness and other health indicators." Dr. Blair also found that regular swimmers had a higher cardiorespiratory fitness than walkers and sedentary people. He concludes that, "Swimming provides a healthful alternative to traditional modes of exercise for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and health for the general population, as well as for patients suffering from chronic diseases. Swimming may be a good alternative exercise for individuals who cannot participate in running or other forms of physical activity." Future research will compare injury information between swimming and other forms of physical activity. Founded in 1965, National Swimming Pool Foundation(R) (NSPF(R)), which helped fund this research, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public health worldwide by encouraging healthier living through aquatic education and research. NSPF is the leading educator of aquatic facility operators and the chief philanthropic research sponsor in the aquatics field. For additional information, visit www.nspf.org. For more information about the Swimming Longitudinal Study or to schedule an interview with Dr. Steven Blair, P.E.D. or Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D., CEO of the NSPF, please contact Laurie Batter of BatterUp! Productions, batterup@batterupproductions.com or 760-438-9304. Stay healthy!   Useful Health and Exercise Links: Arthritis and Back Health American Academy of Family Physicians, Back Pain: Causes and Prevention  Low Back Pain: Tips on Pain Relief and Prevention National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Back Pain What is back pain and is there any treament? National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin  Diseases, Fast Facts about back pain. American College of Rheumatology, Patient Education Factsheets and briefing papers discussing 30 rheumatic diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arthritis Expanding the reach of programs proven to improve the quality of  life for people with arthritis. National Arthritis Foundation, Exercise and Arthritis  Introduction to exercise. National Institutes of Health (MedLine), Arthritis  Questions and answers.    Cancer and Exercise and Diet The American Cancer Society, Exercise to Stay Alive The American Cancer Society, Food and Fitness Cancer Supportive Care Programs, Exercise: A Cancer Survivor's Tool For Wellness Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention, Physical Activity The National Cancer Institutes, Energy Balance: Weight and Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet   Diabetes and Exercise American Diabetes Association, Diabetes and Exercise Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Diabetes and Exercise National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse Diabetes, Exercise and Sports Association LifeClinic Health Management Systems   Combating Sleep and Fatigue with Exercise National Cancer Institute, Fatigue National Center for Physical Activity and Disability, Combating Fatigue: Diet, Exercise, Sleep National Institutes of Health, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome   Heart Health American Heart Association, Heart Attack National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, Heart and Vascular Diseases American Stroke Association, Reducing Risk United States Food and Drug Administration, Heart Health Online American Heart Association, High Blood Pressure    Exercise and Mental Health American Heart Association, Exercise, Mental Health and Mental Ability American Psychological Association, Exercise Helps Keep Your Psyche Fit American College of Sports Medicine, Depression and Physical Activity The Mayo Clinic, Depression and Anxiety: Exercise Eases Symptoms    Exercise and Nutrition US Department of Health and Human Services, Dietary Guidelines for all Americans Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nutrition President's Council for Physical Fitness and Sports, Nutrition for Athletes National Association for Sports Nutrition, Find a Sports Nutritionist American Dietetic Association, Popular Diets Reviewed   Overweight and Obesity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Overweight and Obesity World Health Organization, Obesity National Heart Blood and Lung Institute, "Aim for a Healthy Weight" National Institutes of Health, Active at Any Size National Institutes of Health, Understanding Adult Obesity Osteoporosis National Osteoporosis Foundation, Exercise for Healthy Bones National Institutes of Health, Osteoporosis and Related Bone Disease Resource Center United States Food and Drug Administration, Boning Up on Osteoporosis National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Exercise for Bone Health Lung Health National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, Lung Disease Information World Health Organization, Respiratory Tract Diseases Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Asthma Overview American Cancer Society, "The Great American Smokeout" Exercise for Kids Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Adolescents and Physical Activity National Institutes of Health, Exercise for Children American Heart Association, Children's Health United States Department of Agriculture, "Eat Smart. Play Hard" World Health Organization, Physical Activity and Young People   TOP BACK TO HOME PAGE