This Australian favourite could transform your health (2024)

What’s the one simple exercise that even a few sessions a week can transform your health?

It’s an Australianfavourite, swimming of course and just two sessions a week could improve several body functions.

Australia is a nation that by and large hugs the coastline, and as such we are a nation of swimmers.

You may not swim often, but you probably know how to swim. But maybe you should rethink the amount youswim,because your health could take a massive boost with even just a regular weekly swim.

The low-impact nature of swimming, plus controlled breathing makes the activity second to none for improving health.

And we love it. It’sestimatedmore than 3.5 million people aged over 15 years old in Australia participated in swimming in 2023.

Here’s just a few ways swimming can improve your health.

Longevity

Astudyproduced by Swim England found swimming lowered the risk of early death by 28 overall and lowered the risk of death due to heart disease and stroke by 41per cent.

Swimmers even havelower mortality ratesthan runners,

Heart to heart

Researchshowsswimming lowers resting blood pressure.

“Swimming is a whole-body rhythmic and dynamic activity that raises your heart rate and reduces your blood pressure effectively,” Hirofumi Tanaka, co-author of multipleswimming-related studiesand the director of the Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin toldNational Geographic.

Weight loss

And then there is good old-fashioned weight loss. Thisstudycompared one group of middle-aged women swimmers to a group who didn’t swim and if found the body fat decreased in the swimming group. The swimming group also improved their flexibility and cardiovascular endurance.

According to MedicalNewsToday, it ‘torches’ kilojoules. A 75-kilogram person burns about 1770 kilojoules an hour while swimming at just a low or moderate pace.

Even just treading water can burn up the fat. It’s estimated if your treading water at a high intensity, youcan burn morethan 1255 kilojoules in 30 minutes.

All-rounder

Swimming uses just about every muscle in your body, considering different strokes and different types of water activities.

It’s also an exercise for everyone. From little kids to older Aussies, there is a swimming activity out there for you.

It also builds muscle strength and mass which is so important as we age.

According toBetterhealth, muscle loses size and strength as we get older, which can contribute to fatigue, weakness and reduced tolerance to exercise.

Maintaining muscle mass can improve balance – which reduces your risk of falls andhospitalisations– and reduce the risk of chronic disease and obesity.

Improving sleep

Naturallywith a bit of extra exercise, you will probably sleep better. It certainly works with kids. A big day at the pool and beach and my kids were out to it about an hour after we got home.

Joint venture

It’s especially good for people who find weight-bearing exercising difficult suchpeoplesuffering fromobesity, exercise-induced asthmaandorthopaedic injuries and disease.

Water pressure removes the strain on a person’s joints, so people with arthritis may find swimming the return to exercise they have been looking for.

Swimming also stimulates blood circulation and makes your joints more flexible, all of which have been shown to improve arthritis symptoms.

Warm water can also ease stiff joints and relax sore muscles. And it doesn’t have to be a vigorous swim, a session in a hydrotherapy pool may also support your treatment.

Getting started

If it’s been a while since you were in the pool or beach, start small with a wade and a quick swim. As mentioned above, even treading water will burn some calories.

Most larger swim centres have water aerobics sessions. Most of the participants are older and the pace is a bit gentler than normal aerobics simply because the water resistance requires it.

There is always just good old-fashioned lap swimming. Pools will have set lap times or you can just rock up and do a few laps. Busy pools always have a ‘slow’ lane. No judgment there, just get started.

Also at my pool, many older people just use the hydrotherapy pool and spa. Maybe start off in these and do a few laps to cool down, gradually building up until you are doing more laps than sedentary pool time.

Are you a swimmer or have you considered taking it up? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?

Also read: Cold water swimming and other exercises to improve menopause

Jan Fisherhttp://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/author/JanFisher

Accomplished journalist, feature writer and sub-editor with impressive knowledge of the retirement landscape, including retirement income, issues that affect Australians planning and living in retirement, and answering YLC members' Age Pension and Centrelink questions. She has also developed a passion for travel and lifestyle writing and is fast becoming a supermarket savings 'guru'.

This Australian favourite could transform your health (2024)

FAQs

What is the Australian guide to healthy eating? ›

The Australian guide to healthy eating is a food selection guide which visually represents the proportion of the five food groups recommended for consumption each day.

What happens to your body when you walk 30 minutes a day? ›

Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers.

What is the Healthy Eating Initiative Australia? ›

The Healthy Food Partnership Reformulation Program aims to reduce the amount of sugar, sodium and saturated fat in processed and manufactured foods. Eat for Health contains the Australian Dietary Guidelines, tips and advice on eating healthy, and resources to help people make healthy food choices.

What are the three main factors that affect your health? ›

Biological, Behavioral, and Social Factors Affecting Health - Health and Behavior - NCBI Bookshelf. The . gov means it's official. Federal government websites often end in .

What is the Australian diet? ›

fruit. grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high fibre varieties, such as breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa and barley. lean meats and alternatives and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, seeds and legumes/beans.

What is a balanced diet in Australia? ›

Eating a varied, well-balanced diet means eating a variety of foods from each of the 5 food groups daily, in the recommended amounts. Because different foods provide different types and amounts of key nutrients, it is important to choose a variety of foods from within each food group.

How far should an 80 year old walk every day? ›

An 80-year-old should ideally aim to walk between 2,000 and 9,000 steps daily, approximately 1 to 4.5 miles, depending on their physical condition. However, a minimum of an hour of walking per week is beneficial. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting a new exercise routine.

Can I lose belly fat by walking? ›

Studies show walking is one of the best ways to shed belly fat, in less time than you think. Researchers reviewed 40 years of studies on exercise and belly fat and found that just 2 1/2 hours of brisk walking a week--about 20 minutes a day--can shrink your belly by about 1 inch in 4 weeks.

What is the poor diet in Australia? ›

Australians of all ages generally have a poor diet – that is they do not eat enough of the 5 food groups and eat too many discretionary foods high in salt, fat and sugar. Inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption in particular is a risk factor for CVD, type 2 diabetes, CKD and overweight and obesity.

What is 2 fruits and 5 vegetables? ›

Two fruit 5 veg is an Australian recommendation. Worldwide, WHO recommends no less than 400g of combined fruit and veg per day. To get your 2 serves of fruit per day, eatforhealth.gov.au provides the following as a guide.

Why are many Australians overweight and obese? ›

Many Australians consume more energy than they need through unhealthy diets that are high in sugar, saturated and/or trans fats and alcohol.

What is the leading actual cause of death in the United States? ›

Heart disease and cancer have been at the top of the list for more than a decade and caused more than 37% of U.S. deaths in 2021, the most recent data available.

Who defines health in 2024? ›

The preamble to WHO's constitution provides a definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

What is the balance diet for each person? ›

The Eatwell Guide shows that to have a healthy, balanced diet, people should try to: eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day (see 5 A Day) base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta. have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks)

What is the Australian Good food Guide? ›

Designed as an essential navigational and rating accomplice, the Australian Good Food & Travel Guide has long been acknowledged as Australia's most comprehensive restaurant, accommodation and travel authority encompassing not only all major metropolitan areas but many of the smaller townships that lie in between.

Why is the Australian Guide to healthy eating a credible source? ›

The Australian dietary guidelines (the guidelines) provide up-to-date advice about the amount and kinds of foods that we need to eat for health and wellbeing. The recommendations are based on scientific evidence, developed after looking at good quality research.

What is the Australian Healthy Eating Pyramid? ›

The Healthy Eating Pyramid is a simple visual guide to the types and proportion of foods that we should eat every day for good health. It contains the five core food groups, plus healthy fats, according to how much they contribute to a balanced diet based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines (2013).

Why is the Australian Guide to healthy eating a Plate? ›

This model is consistent with the key messages of Nutrition Australia's Healthy Eating Pyramid. Both models provide very similar information – simply presented in a different format. The plate model represents the proportion of foods from each of the 5 food groups we should be eating across the day.

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