How Swimming Pools Benefit Children’s Physical and Emotional Health
Perth, Australia’s sunniest capital city, enjoys hot summers and mild winters. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, the city remains relatively warm for most of the year. With this kind of climate, swimming pools make suitable additions to any home in this part of Western Australia.
Pools, though, offer more than quick relief from the heat. If you have children, having a pool at home provides numerous health benefits for them as well.
Physical Health
Swimming is an excellent exercise for both adults and children. Although children should get regular exercise as part of their development and as a precaution against obesity, they nonetheless have to contend with certain factors (e.g. their relative size, bodily coordination, and strength) that inhibit them from performing many forms of exercise.
Health Direct emphasises that swimming is a low-impact exercise that is accessible to people of every age. Swimming is also ideal for people with certain disabilities as the buoyancy in water supports one’s whole body.
Even better, swimming is a total body exercise. Aside from providing a good workout for the cardiovascular system, swimming also exercises the back, arms, and legs—something a person typically can’t accomplish with any other singular form of exercise.
Swimming, therefore, provides a great way to combat childhood obesity in Australia, where 1 out of 4 children are overweight or obese according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The benefits go beyond one’s physical health, however.
Emotional Health
Swimming also promotes children’s emotional and mental health. The water’s buoyancy makes swimming a relatively more relaxing form of exercise. Those who learn to swim at a young age develop good timing and coordination as they must execute several movements simultaneously with each stroke. Children, by nature, also associate the sport with playtime as opposed to mandatory exercise, so they are more likely to have fun whilst swimming and experience an improvement in their overall mood.
With all these benefits, it’s no wonder many people consider it worthwhile to invest in swimming pools. If you want one installed, contact a reputable pool contractor to get more information on what kind of pool suits you best. For an economic choice, you can turn to pool companies such as Palm City Pools that provide full-service installation of brand new or refurbished pools as well as water features and other accessories.
Sources:
Health benefits of swimming, Health Direct Australia
Overweight and obesity, AIHW