30-1-25 
12:11 Blog News 
By Giannis Drymonakos, swimming European champion
There are many different ways to train your body and undoubtedly, each of them has its own advantages. Swimming, in addition being one of the most popular sports, is one of the friendliest to the body and most fun for kids, forms of exercise. At the same time, the pool is a safe environment and is even recommended for people with haemophilia who want to start an activity, as water has many properties that makes it preferable for exercise compared to sports performed on the ground. Water buoyancy supports the weight and reduces the force of gravity. While in the water people feel less weight in their joints, and thus moving is easier and requires less muscle power. In addition, as the water is dense, provides movement resistance and this resistance allows strengthening while reducing the pressure on the muscles. Hydrostatic water pressure also acts as a bandage, squeezing the joints and reducing any swelling that a person may have. All these properties of water allow the person to do a series of exercises that increase strength, support posture and walking, faster than with physiotherapy.
Some of the benefits of swimming are:
Muscle stimulation and strengthening
Compared to other forms of aerobic sports, swimming has the advantage that it does not strain the joints at all. This is due to water’s buoyancy, which pushes the body upwards. Thus, our weight is reduced to a large extent. This means that the pool is the perfect place to deal with muscle stiffness and joint pain, as water alone helps us to exercise. In short, swimming can “stretch” and train the muscles, but also relieve arthritic pain at the same time.
At the same time, swimming provides the body with more muscular strength as well as muscle toning. This is simply explained by the fact that the water is twelve times denser than the air. Thus, the body gets used to more demanding rhythms and, besides training harder, it shields itself from minor injuries that could otherwise occur.
Increased flexibility and resilience
Swimming helps the joints to relax and thereby make the body more resilient. Stretching the muscles is also very important and has a positive effect on flexibility.
Balance
The pool is a safe place to work balance. The balance exercises in the pool cause the muscles surrounding a joint to regroup in order to keep the joint in a fixed position.
Heart health
Swimming is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise. Swimming helps the heart pump blood more efficiently, which leads to better blood flow. Studies have shown that swimmers are much less likely to suffer from a heart disease. The rhythm that is needed during swimming provides important aid to heart health.
Fights stress and provide positive energy
Swimming also increases endorphins, which contributes to the development of pleasant emotions. At the same time, the relaxation that water offers to the muscles provides the body with results similar to those of yoga.
The benefits of physical activity are not only physical; they are also emotional and spiritual.
Main physical benefits of exercise
Strong and flexible muscles support the joints, helping to prevent bleeding and damage of the joints
The sense of wellness and energy consumption helps to reduce fatigue
Maintaining a normal weight reduces the pressure on the joints
Improved balance and coordination help joints and muscles to work better
Key psychosocial benefits
Exercise helps relieve stress and relax the mind
Exercise enhances self-esteem, confidence and is fun for children and adults, as long as it is something fun
Regular exercise can promote social acceptance and enable social interaction with people of the same age
How to get started?
Before starting any exercise program, you should consult your doctor and physiotherapist at the Haemophilia Center where you are being monitored.
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