In the past, we’ve written about what incredible exercise swimming can be. It is also a great bonding activity for the entire family. Today, let’s focus on seniors. These are some of the benefits of swimming for grandparents.
Basic Benefits of Swimming for Grandparents
No matter your age, swimming is a great way to get in shape. That said, when we are younger, our bodies can withstand some more aggressive movement than when we reach our autumn years. Of course, that doesn’t mean that we need to sit on the sidelines. Far from it! Instead, consider these basic benefits of swimming for grandparents.
Besides enjoying time in the pool with the little ones, swimming is an ideal workout for older folks. Since it doesn’t overwork the joints or muscles, there is significantly less risk of injury. It also helps to strengthen muscles.
Most importantly, swimming in the pool as a family is a great excuse to combine bonding time with exercise.
Swimming Helps Your Heart and Lungs
As we mentioned in our dedicated
post about heart health, swimming is an excellent cardiovascular exercise. As an aerobic activity that uses multiple muscle groups at once, one of the best benefits of swimming for grandparents is a stronger heart. Dedicated swimming can help your heart become stronger and more efficient. It can also provide extra stamina and lower blood pressure.
Low Impact and Low Joint Pain
Unlike jogging or other exercises, swimming is a relatively low impact activity. This means that it is much easier on the joints. For people of all ages, this can be a benefit. For older swimmers, this can be a source of much needed relief from the risk of joint pain. A person won’t need to skip workouts due to agonizing pain. This also means that grandparents will be able to hop in the pool with their grandkids without any extra risk.
Reducing the Risk of Osteoporosis with Swimming
According to the
Mayo Clinic, osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine.
Over time, this can become a serious risk, especially for folks over 50. This condition can lead to broken bones or other injuries. It is more common than most people realize. Fortunately, there is help. Swimming can help to improve bone density and strength. These can help to combat the onset of osteoporosis.
Lowering the Risk of Slips and Falls
Slipping and falling can become a serious problem as we age. While younger, our bodies can usually heal and recover quickly. For seniors,
slips and falls can be much more severe. Fortunately, this is another area where swimming can help.
We’ll mention one more of the many benefits of swimming for grandparents. Regular swimming can improve posture and increase muscle mass. This will keep you stronger and improve overall balance.
As you can see, swimming has plenty of benefits. Besides keeping you healthy, it is a terrific way to bond with the grandkids. Get in the pool and splash around with the family. It is some of the healthiest fun you can have!
