It is no secret that aerobic exercise is a powerful antidote to biological deterioration. However, a growing number of studies show that swimming can offer unique benefits to the brain with lifeguard training.
Swimming can also help repair stress damage and create new nerve connections in the brain.
In contrast, researchers have observed mood disorders in patients with lower concentrations of cerebral neurotrophic factor with lifeguard training.
Aerobic exercise also promotes the release of certain chemical messengers called neurotransmitters .
In fish studies, scientists observed changes in the genes responsible for increasing levels of neurotrophic factor from the brain, as well as enhanced growth of dendritic spines , or elongated sections of nerve cells. after eight weeks of exercise compared to the control group. .
The higher density of the spine helps the neurons make new connections and send more signals to other nerve cells. By repeating the signals, the connections can become stronger with lifeguard training.
What is so special about swimming?
Researchers do not yet know what the secret of swimming is, but they seem to be close to discovering it. Swimming has long been recognized for its cardiovascular benefits . This leads to the formation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis .This increase brings about the feeling of euphoria that often accompanies exercise.
Most research on understanding how swimming affects the brain has been done in rats . These rodents are a good laboratory model due to their genetic and anatomical similarity to humans.
One such study showed that swimming stimulates brain pathways that suppress hippocampal inflammation and inhibit apoptosis or cell death . The study also showed that swimming can help support neuronal survival and reduce the cognitive effects of aging with lifeguard training.
One of the most enticing questions is how swimming enhances short-term and long-term memory . To determine how long its beneficial effects could last, the researchers trained rats to swim for 60 minutes daily for five days a week. The team then examined the rats’ memory, putting them to swim in a maze of water with radial arms containing six arms, including one with a hidden platform.
The rats had six attempts to swim freely and find the hidden platform.
Studies in humans have shown similar results, suggesting a clear cognitive benefit of swimming at all ages. For example, in a study that looked at the impact of swimming on mental acuity in the elderly, researchers found that swimmers had improved mental speed and attention , compared to non-swimmers.
Another study compared cognitive ability between young land athletes and swimmers. The researchers found that 20 minutes of anterior swimming improved cognitive function in both groups.
The benefits of swimming for children
The brain-boosting benefits of swimming seem to help children as well. Another research team recently looked at the relationship between physical activity and the way children learn new words . The researchers taught children aged 6-12 years the names of unknown objects. They then tested their accuracy in recognizing these words after performing three activities: coloring (relaxation activity), swimming (aerobic activity) and a CrossFit-like exercise (anaerobic activity) for three minutes.
They found that the children remembered more words after swimming, compared to coloring and CrossFit. This shows a clear cognitive benefit of swimming versus anaerobic exercise, although the study does not compare swimming with other aerobic exercise. These findings suggest that swimming, even for short periods of time, is particularly beneficial for young, developing brains.
Scientists are still researching how much time or how many laps are required as well as what is the best swimming style.
For centuries, people have been searching for the source of youth . Maybe swimming is the closest we can find.
