Swimming and Health

What are the cons-indications to the practice of swimming?

Swimming piscineDocteur Cervetti: Major cons-indications, as regards the competition, are the major diseases that disrupt body functions such as heart disease, pneumonia, kidney disease and neuropathy. These are the same as those of other sports.

In terms of recreational swimming, there are few absolutes against-indications beyond those that can induce drowning by the occurrence of loss of consciousness (heart attack, poorly controlled diabetes, poorly controlled epilepsy ...). There are also cons-indications, that is to say limited to the time of healing, such as broncho-pulmonary infections, infections of the ENT (sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, otitis ...), skin wounds , certain skin diseases (eczema oozing stage ...), allergies bromine or chlorine.

Doctissimo: What are the health benefits related to swimming?

Doctor Cervetti: Swimming is a predominantly aerobic sports which has the effect of soliciting in a relatively "soft" cardiovascular and pulmonary tracts. For asthma, it is a practice adviser (water vapor saturation in tidal water and increase lung capacity by the demands of the respiratory muscles responsible for the development of the rib cage).

Because of the principle of Archimedes, swimming is practiced in almost weightless state the skeleton and joints are unloaded weight of the body. It can be practiced by people with back problems or joint problems. Swimming is also often used for the rehabilitation of land sports, in case of injury of upper or lower limbs. It is also used as an activity after Relieving athletics or team sport for example.

Doctissimo: What are the most common injuries?

Doctor Cervetti: The most common problems are strain injuries at the shoulder. They are often related to a technical problem. In competition, many swimmers seek the shoulder. Bad stretches before or after swimming, promote the development of instability and may in the long term, lead to joint or tendon damage: it is a wear pathology. Breaststroke and butterfly can cause problems at the thoracolumbar junction. Breaststroke tendonitis may cause the muscles of the goose leg (at the knee) for the boost (Whipp kick in English) that is induced antiphysiologique. We find this problem in synchronized swimming and water polo, because of pedaling. Adductors can also be achieved. Finally there may be ear, nose and throat problems such as otitis externa, for example.

Doctissimo: What are the age limits for swimming?

Cervetti Doctor: There are no age limits, there are even "baby swimming". In fact, the ideal age to learn to swim is around 6 or 7 years. Before, we essentially learn to float. As soon as they swim, children can start the competition. There is no upper age limit. On the contrary, in the elderly, swimming is the sport advisable, since preserves the joints and can be adapted to the pace.

Doctissimo: What are the recommended equipment?

Doctor Cervetti: Bathing cap is very important both as hygiene for the protection of hair. The glasses are highly recommended, especially in public pools, where the water is heavily chlorinated. They avoid eye irritations and therefore micro corneal damage induced by chlorine. People who have ear problems can wear suitable plugs. Each practice also has specific equipment: nose clip for synchronized swimming cap with ear protection for water polo.

The sandals port depends on the pool: if hygiene rules are followed (showers, foot baths ...), there is little chance of getting either fungal or warts because there is nothing cleaner than pool.