Less than 50% of Australian adults with limited mobility engage in aerobic activity. Aerobic activity is essential for physical, emotional, and mental well-being. The good news is that there are a variety of aerobic activities that people with disabilities can participate in. For disabled persons, there are special accessible swimming pool.
Swimming is an often accessible, rewarding and enjoyable activity. If you want to build strength, improve your mental health, and practice independence, then swimming might be the right activity for you.
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Read on to learn more about the seven best benefits of swimming for people with disabilities.
1. Relieves stress on joints and muscles
Being in the water is like being weightless. Water supports your body in a simple way and greatly reduces the effects of gravity.
By swimming in the water, you will relieve pain and stress in your joints and even your muscles. In this way, you can stretch and strengthen parts of your body that often don't experience complete freedom of movement.
2. Build muscle strength
Aerobic activity is especially difficult for people with disabilities such as spina bifida or muscular dystrophy. This is because their muscles are tight and/or relaxed.
Being in the water makes it easier for these muscles to move, and moving the muscles allows you to build strength. This is a great option when you can't do other types of exercises that work on muscle strength.
3. Improves heart health
As mentioned earlier, swimming is considered an aerobic activity. Aerobic activity strengthens your heart. As your heart gets bigger and stronger, it is better able to pump blood, which increases blood flow.