Swim Bits – February 2020


‘If exercise were a pill, it would be hailed as a “wonder drug.” ‘

We swimmers are doing something right.  We’re just not getting credit for it in international media.

A recent on-line article mirrors this: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51006325.  The article is on marathon runners, in a study done by an English college, about people preparing to run the London marathon.

Their conclusions?  After six months of training, the runners’ “arteries regained some youthful elasticity, … their blood pressure fell as much as if they had been prescribed pills,” and “ those who were least fit beforehand appeared to benefit the most.”  And the researchers conclude, ‘If exercise were a pill, it would be hailed as a wonder drug.’  Well, duh.

The article also detailed what the British Heart Foundation recommends for prospective athletes to do every week:

  1. “150 minutes moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, doubles tennis or cycling.
  2. 75 minutes vigorous exercise, such as running, football or rugby.
  3. People should also do strengthening activities – such as push-ups, sit-ups or lifting and carrying – at least two times a week to give muscles a good workout.”

This amounts to 225 minutes a week, which can be done in four days a week for an hour, or 45 minutes for five days.  Most people I know who swim are doing this.  Hoorah for us!  I just wish that such researchers would mention swimming as a possible exercise.

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