Swimming For Senior Citizens Prevents Falls

It is common knowledge that swimming is an excellent form of exercise. Swimming can not only help improve cardiovascular health, stamina, endurance, and build muscle.  Swimming also tones the body as a result of the resistance that is created by moving the limbs of the body throughout the water. But what most people don’t realize about swimming is that it can also improve upon balance. This is especially important for senior citizens, as they often experience off-kilter balance that can lead to frequent falls.  So in short, swimming can help senior citizens to prevent falls. If you have an elderly friend or family member, talking to them about enrolling in a swimming program that is a certified program and include Red Cross Swimming levels could help them improve their balance in addition to improving their overall health. 

Improving Balance

Swimming helps improve balance by increasing strengths in the joints, muscles, and core. All of these areas in the body are imperative to improving balance. By improving upon the core muscles in the body, the body is able to have more trunk control and prevent falls. Another way swimming improves balance is because swimming requires the arms and legs to work in a coordinated motion, which helps to improve coordination when walking. Improved coordination leads to reduced falls. Swimming also increases flexibility in the hips and knees, which means looser (corrected spelling from loser) joints. When joints are stiff, falls can occur more often as the legs are not able to function properly and allow coordinated walking. Less falls can lead to less injuries and a long life expectancy. 

Types of Water Exercises for Seniors

Besides the obvious water exercise of swimming laps, there are many exercises that seniors can participate in that will help improve upon their overall health and balance.  Water walking and running is an exercise that requires simply walking or running/jogging throughout the shallow end of the pool. You can walk forward, backward, and from side to side in order to walk all of the muscle groups. Seniors can also participate in strength training in the water by using specially designed resistance equipment made specifically for strength training in the water. Many swimming programs for adults offer the use of this equipment as part of a class or for members’ use. Many swimming programs also offer aerobics classes for seniors. Water aerobics classes are a great way to have fun, meet others, and workout the entire body in the water for improved balance.  

As you can see, swimming and water exercises are a great way for senior citizens to not only improve their overall health in every way, but to also improve their balance.  Improving balance is key to reducing the risk of falls for seniors and decreasing injuries. If you or someone you know are searching for a swimming program, aerobics class, or other water activity for seniors, Zodiac Swim School is the place to go.  They offer a wide variety of classes for all ages that can benefit overall health.