Editing Swimming (section)

===Health===
[[File:Chuck_Sketch,_a_Wounded_Warrior_with_the_veteran_swim_team,_swims_laps_during_a_practice_session_120214-M-YO938-177.jpg|thumb|Chuck Sketch, a former U.S. Marine and a Wounded Warrior with the veteran swim team, swims laps during a practice session at the 2012 Marine Corps Trials at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]], California, February 14, 2012. Wounded Warriors, veterans, and allies competed in the second annual trials, which included swimming.]]
Swimming is primarily a [[Aerobic exercise|cardiovascular/aerobic exercise]]<ref>{{cite book |last= Cooper |first= Kenneth H. |title= Aerobics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_k-TTEFQTkkC |edition= revised, reissue |year= 1983 |orig-year= 1968 |publisher= [[Bantam Books]] |isbn= 978-0553274479}}</ref> due to the long exercise time, requiring a constant oxygen supply, except for short sprints where the muscles work anaerobically. Furthermore, swimming can help tone and strengthen muscles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/swimming-health-benefits|title=Swimming - health benefits|last=Services|first=Department of Health & Human|access-date=2018-09-11|language=en}}</ref> Regular swimming can help in weight management and contribute to maintaining a healthy body weight. (Robinson 2022) Swimming allows sufferers of [[arthritis]] to exercise affected joints without worsening their symptoms. Swimming is often recommended for individuals with joint conditions or injuries, as the [[buoyancy]] of water reduces stress on the joints. However, swimmers with arthritis may wish to avoid swimming breaststroke, as improper technique can exacerbate arthritic knee pain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yourswimlog.com/how-to-fix-and-prevent-breaststrokers-knee/|title=How to Fix and Prevent Breaststroker's Knee|date=2016-09-03|website=YourSwimLog.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref> As with most aerobic exercise, swimming reduces the harmful effects of stress. Swimming also improves health for people with cardiovascular problems and chronic illnesses. It is proven to impact the mental health of pregnant women and mothers positively. Swimming can even improve mood.<ref>{{Cite web|title = CDC - Health Benefits of Water-based Exercise - Healthy Swimming & Recreational Water - Healthy Water|url = https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/health_benefits_water_exercise.html|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-10-01}}</ref> Although many forms of physical activity have been shown to improve [[bone density]] and health, this is where swimming has its downfalls. Due to the low-impact nature of the sport, studies have demonstrated that bone mass acquisition will be negatively impacted, which could be an issue for adolescent athletes in particular.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Seabra|first1=André|last2=Fernandes|first2=Ricardo J.|last3=Marques|first3=Elisa|last4=Moura|first4=Miguel|last5=Ubago-Guisado|first5=Esther|last6=Hernando|first6=Enrique|last7=Gallardo|first7=Leonor|date=2017-12-28|title=Impact of Futsal and Swimming Participation on Bone Health in Young Athletes|journal=Journal of Human Kinetics|language=en|volume=60|issue=1|pages=85–91|doi=10.1515/hukin-2017-0092|pmid=29339988|pmc=5765788|doi-access=free}}</ref> A 2025 study found that swimming outdoors is associated with greater levels of [[well-being]]. However, 'wild swimming' or [[open water swimming]], where swimming takes place in rivers, lakes or the sea, has been found to be associated with higher well-being than swimming in outdoor pools.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Groeneveld, W.)), ((Krainz, M.)), ((White, M. P.)), ((Heske, A.)), ((Elliott, L. R.)), ((Bratman, G. N.)), ((Fleming, L. E.)), ((Grellier, J.)), ((McDougall, C. W.)), ((Nieuwenhuijsen, M.)), ((Ojala, A.)), ((Pahl, S.)), ((Roiko, A.)), ((Bosch, M. van den)), ((Wheeler, B. W.)) | journal=Journal of Environmental Psychology | title=The psychological benefits of open-water (wild) swimming: Exploring a self-determination approach using a 19-country sample | volume=102 | pages=102558 | date=1 March 2025 | issn=0272-4944 | doi=10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102558| doi-access=free }}</ref> 

====Disabled swimmers====
Since 2010, the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]] has required that [[swimming pool]]s in the United States be accessible to disabled swimmers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-05-24|title=ADA Requirements: Accessible Pools Means of Entry and Exit|url=https://www.ada.gov/pools_2010.htm|access-date=2021-11-14|website=www.ada.gov}}</ref>

====Elderly swimmers====
"Water-based exercise can benefit older adults by improving quality of life and decreasing disability. It also improves or maintains the bone health of post-menopausal women."<ref>{{cite web|title=Health Benefits of Water-based Exercise|url=https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/health_benefits_water_exercise.html|website=CDC.gov|publisher=United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=15 July 2015}}</ref>
Swimming is an ideal workout for the elderly, as it is a low-impact sport with very little risk of injury. Exercise in the water works out all muscle groups, helping with conditions such as muscular dystrophy which is common in seniors. It is also a common way to relieve pain from arthritis.