Fitness, Swimming
So the fitter you are the better able you are to use the oxygen in your lungs, any exercise is beneficial, but the longer the duration and intensity the better, so activities such as running and swimming will see the greatest benefits to your lungs.
Because we don’t always use our lungs to full capacity, we need to do cardiovascular exercises to train the muscles which work the lungs, while increasing the volume of air available to be used.
Exercise will also increase our ability to extract oxygen from the air in our lungs and to remove carbon dioxide.
Running obviously isn’t for everyone and you can get as many benefits from regular ‘walkouts’ provided they are done at optimum pace. Swimming is a good option for many people as it has less impact on bones, joints and muscles.
Swimming has many benefits:
* Better cardiovascular conditioning
* Increased flexibility
* Muscle toning
* Lowers blood pressure
* Improved posture
* Greater muscle strength
* Less muscle tension
* Improved balance
* Aids weight and appetite control
* Reduces stress
* Cuts the risk of osteoporosis
Swimming will provide as many aerobic benefits as running, but will not give your connective tissues or joints such a strain, which in turn will help you endure the exercise for a longer period of time without causing too much damage or pain.
You use almost all your major muscles at the same time when swimming so it is considered a total workout. Water provides resistance, it develops your muscles, strength and endurance, and also enhances flexibility.
