I know I’m not alone in admitting that the recent heatwave left me wanting to throw myself into the nearest body of water. But after the immediate relief of a few morning dips, I began to wonder whether swimming could offer something more lasting. What might moving through water every day do for my sleep, strength, stress levels and ability to concentrate?
There was good reason to investigate. A 2018 study found that regular swim training may meaningfully improve cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise capacity and body composition in non-elite swimmers. Further research found that aquatic exercise was also associated with significant reductions in mood and anxiety symptoms.
