| Cardiovascular health is often a blanket term used | | | | - Boost energy level and help manage stress |
| to describe a primary benefit for many kinds of | | | | - Improve the ability to fall asleep quickly and |
| exercise and activities that promise body-friendly, | | | | self-image |
| healthful results. But what is cardiovascular health, | | | | - Increase muscle strength, increasing the ability |
| and how does it relate to swimming? And how | | | | to do other physical activities |
| can a reasonable investment in an above ground | | | | - In older people, helps delay or prevent chronic |
| pool also be an investment in long-term | | | | illnesses and diseases associated with aging |
| cardiovascular health? | | | | Swimming is a uniquely beneficial activity for |
| First off, when you think "cardiovascular", think | | | | cardiovascular health because it provides a |
| heart...and veins. Activities that increase your heart | | | | low-impact environment that exercises virtually |
| rate (the number of beats per minute over time) | | | | every muscle in the body. Our body's natural |
| will, by default, increase the amount of blood that | | | | buoyancy allows us to weight about 1/10th of our |
| is pumped through your veins. Since red blood | | | | actual body weight in water-meaning less stress |
| cells are the transport system for life-giving | | | | on joints while swimming. What's more, the virtual |
| oxygen, as you raise your heart rate, more | | | | absence of gravity allows the heart and |
| oxygen reaches your body's muscles and tissues. | | | | circulatory system to work even better. |
| "Cardiovascular health" therefore, is a goal rather | | | | Since swimming pool water provides mild |
| than a description; when the heart muscle gets | | | | resistance in every direction we move, every |
| good exercise, blood circulation throughout the | | | | muscle group is put into play-exercised-whether |
| body is improved. Repeated exercise (coupled | | | | you are swimming laps, treading water, jogging, |
| with the advice of a qualified health professional) | | | | doing water aerobics or even just horsing around. |
| can lead to a healthier circulatory system, and | | | | It's easy to see how an investment in an above |
| healthier body in general. | | | | ground swimming pool can pay real dividends in |
| According to the American Heart Association, the | | | | cardiovascular health over the short and long-term |
| goal of cardiovascular health can help: | | | | life of the pool. A swimming pool can offer |
| - Reduce the risk of heart disease | | | | several generations of your family an opportunity |
| - Keep weight under control | | | | for regular exercise, family fun, and improved |
| - Improve blood cholesterol levels | | | | cardiovascular health-a goal that could be as close |
| - Prevent and manage high blood pressure | | | | as your own backyard. |
| - Prevent bone loss | | | | |