Aquatic sport par excellence, swimming seduces many enthusiasts who practice it at sea, in a lake or in the swimming pool. But is this activity good for the muscles, the heart and the joints? What are the benefits of swimming for weight loss and stress relief? Let's take a look at the strengths of this practice with lifeguard certification.
1. It improves your mental health
The mental health benefits of swimming are countless. They concern mood as well as memory and self-confidence with American Lifeguard USA Florida.
Several hormones are secreted during the practice of swimming, in particular endorphins and dopamine . The latter is closely linked to psychological well-being. In the event of a depressive episode, an imbalance sets in because the brain cells lack dopamine. This deficiency leads to great fatigue, memory lapses and a drop in motivation with lifeguard class.
Moving does not only provide immediate pleasure. Sport supplies the brain system with dopamine, which helps it cope with difficult situations. Practiced regularly, swimming is therefore a real preventive tool against low morale .
In addition, physical activity improves self-esteem. A virtuous circle is set up thanks to sport: the more the swimmer notices that his physical and mental health is improving, the more he is determined to persevere. He then achieves his goals more and more easily. And so on !
2. It increases your muscle mass
In general, swimming solicits the upper body and tones the silhouette . But what is the type of stroke that best strengthens the muscles ?
The breaststroke is not the most athletic of swimming. However, it works a group of muscles located at the level of the thorax: the pectorals. Its movements also tone the biceps and all the muscles of the thighs, that is to say the hamstrings, the adductors and the quadriceps.
Much sportier, the butterfly stroke strengthens both the pectoralis major (thanks to its ample movements) and the abdominals. At the level of the arms, it is above all the biceps and the triceps which are solicited when swimming in butterfly.
The crawl , on the other hand, makes it possible to strengthen the tissues located at the level of the shoulders, the back and the bust as a whole. It is ideal for stimulating the deltoids, trapezius or even the small pecs.
Finally, the backstroke requires activating a muscle that connects the pelvis to the hollow of the armpit: the latissimus dorsa. Strengthening this area reduces lower back pain in a deep and lasting way.
3. It does not impact the joints
Swimming is safe for the joints . Indeed, the floating of the body in the water facilitates all movements. These become easier to perform, even for the elderly or those with chronic pain.
Unlike boxing or cycling , swimming allows you to practice physical activity without any risk of injury . She can therefore enroll in a rehabilitation program after an accident or illness.
Under the supervision of a healthcare professional, balneotherapy facilitates the return of motor skills to convalescent subjects. Some exercises are intended to work on the coordination of the limbs. Others focus more on the rehabilitation of muscle tissue.
4. It refines the silhouette
Like all sports, swimming requires low, moderate or intense physical effort. But does it make you lose weight? And does it refine the silhouette? The answer is yes.
Because it involves a significant energy expenditure , swimming has its place in a weight loss strategy . This is especially true for the backstroke (550 calories lost in 60 minutes), the fast breaststroke (600 calories) and the butterfly (800 calories). For comparison, an hour of aerobics, modern-jazz or salsa dance represents only 400 calories burned.
Swimming is one of the most dynamic sports, along with cycling (600 calories per hour) or boxing (700 calories). In the event of overweight, it therefore makes it possible to obtain a slimmer and more harmonious silhouette .
Combined with a rebalancing of food, swimming is recommended for all people who wish to improve their lifestyle. With this sport, weight loss is done gradually and is accompanied by a strengthening of the muscles. As a result, the risk of seeing stretch marks appear decreases.
5. It works all the muscles
Swimming is one of the most complete sports disciplines . Indeed, it allows to tone the arms as well as the thighs, the buttocks, the thorax, the shoulders or the back.
During a session at the pool, the use of recreational equipment allows the work of a targeted muscle group . For example, the pull buoy is great for toning the upper body, especially the arms and back. As for the palms , they are excellent allies to shape the legs.
It is possible to solicit dozens of different muscles during a workout, without changing equipment. How ? Quite simply by alternating different types of swimming. For complete muscle stimulation, don't hesitate to practice breaststroke, front crawl, back crawl and butterfly.
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