Swimming '˜best for heart health', says report

New study reveals that taking a dip could do wonders for your overall health and a Sheffield Aqua-Park owner is backing youngsters getting involved from as young as eight.
Granger: Everyone knows that physical activity gets those happy endorphins flowing and that helps keep you mentally healthy as well as physically healthy"Granger: Everyone knows that physical activity gets those happy endorphins flowing and that helps keep you mentally healthy as well as physically healthy"
Granger: Everyone knows that physical activity gets those happy endorphins flowing and that helps keep you mentally healthy as well as physically healthy"

People who regularly swim have better cardiovascular health, sleep patterns and a higher step count than other sportspeople, according to new research.

The data, gathered through the companies Nokia Health Mate App, identified a 35% spike in users logging swimming sessions between March and June 2017 – most likely due to the transition from spring to summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, the figures also revealed that those logging regular swimming sessions were generally more active out of the pool than those engaging in other forms from exercise.

A comparison of the average daily step count between swimmers and non-swimmers showed that male swimmers yielded a 17% higher step count than non-swimmers whilst female swimmers logged 28% more steps than their water-shy counterparts.

The research has won support from many water-sport enthusiasts with Joanna Granger, marketing manager of an outdoor aqua park commenting : “I’m not shocked at all, you only need to look at the six packs on the lifeguards and wake-boarders here to see that swimming is a great way to exercise!”

But what makes swimmers more active out of the water than regular exercisers? Granger speculates that it’s because it serves the mind as much as the body.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Everyone knows that physical activity gets those happy endorphins flowing and that helps keep you mentally healthy as well as physically healthy, but being in the great outdoors in and on the lake you get that amazing free feeling that being close to water gives you.”

At Sheffield Cable Ski Park guests can learn to wake-board and cable ski in the open lake water as well as taking part in a huge Total-Wipeout style inflatable assault course.

“We’ve had loads of gym groups book and come off the Aqua Park session saying they can’t believe how much energy it took out of them,” says Joanna.

“You’re having fun with your friends and not even noticing how much effort you’re putting in!”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And it doesn’t end there, as well as being more active Nokia’s findings also point to swimmers having healthier sleeping patterns and improved cardiovascular health.

The data showed that on average swimmers get around 10 minutes more sleep than non-swimmers as well as taking less time to get to sleep every night (4.7 minutes for swimmers, compared to 5.9 minutes).

Joanna, whose park is open to children starting 8 years old and up, thinks starting young in sport is the key to lifelong participation.

“It’s easier to learn sports when you are younger and once you get good at a sport you’re more likely to keep it up” she says, adding that the sport is ideal for teenagers who want to pursue something that’s “cool” as it offers “something different from mainstream exercise”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While the results have only collated data from one source it would appear that dipping your toe could prove hugely beneficial to your overall health.

For more information on the study take a dive into Nokia’s Health Blog and if you’d like to make a splash at Sheffield Cable Ski Park give them a call on 01142 511717 or check out http://www.sheffieldcablewaterski.com/

Related topics: