As we say goodbye to the swimming events for the Rio Olympics we will have one more post on the benefits of swimming.

A group of researchers from Pusan National University in South Korea designed a study to examine the effect of swimming on physical strength as well as lipid profile. Participants were women, ages 40-60, who were either in a swimming group or a control group of non-swimmers.

The swimming group swam for sixty minutes, three times/week, for a total of 12 weeks. Physical composition, strength and blood lipid measurements were taken upon entry to the study as well as at the conclusion at 12 weeks.

At the end of the 12 week study the swimming group showed improvements in total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides. On the other hand, the control group (non-swimmers) showed no significant change.

This small study shows the possible benefits of a simple intervention, in this case swimming three times per week, may have upon lipids parameters. It would be interesting to see if these same results would be found in a group of men.

(Source- Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation 2015; 11(5); 266-271)

This blog is a review of medical and scientific literature, and should only be used for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical or health advice, nor does it create a physician-patient relationship with anyone. Discuss any health concerns with your personal physician.