Calling all USMS members. Your response to this post will be used to create an article in Swimmer magazine about cross training. What types of training do you most commonly do outside of the pool? How often? What cross training works the best, and what types are the least helpful for swimming? :bliss:
Parents
Former Member
There's something to be said about health benefits outside of the pool regardless of what kind of effect they might offer towards swimming performance.
Research has shown that impact sports are ideal for developing bone density which is something that swimming really lacks. That said, any kind of weight bearing activity whether it be running, tennis or lifting should really be encouraged.
An interesting study was done at Texas A&M University regarding bone mineral density in college athletes and the swimmers ranked the lowest!
This study demonstrated more discouraging results as the collegiate female swimmers had lower bone mineral density (BMD) during the preseason by 10-15% compared to all other sports with the largest difference in the lower body, pelvis and spine mineral density. In fact, their total body BMD of 1.121 g/cm2 puts them more than two standard deviations from the mean for their age, indicating a risk for osteoporosis.
...imagine if you are a Master's female swimmer who drinks a pot of coffee a day and while working 12 hours at her desk job....might as well call up Sally Fields and get some Boniva.
www.swimmingscience.net/.../bone-mineral-density-in-swimmers.html
There's something to be said about health benefits outside of the pool regardless of what kind of effect they might offer towards swimming performance.
Research has shown that impact sports are ideal for developing bone density which is something that swimming really lacks. That said, any kind of weight bearing activity whether it be running, tennis or lifting should really be encouraged.
An interesting study was done at Texas A&M University regarding bone mineral density in college athletes and the swimmers ranked the lowest!
This study demonstrated more discouraging results as the collegiate female swimmers had lower bone mineral density (BMD) during the preseason by 10-15% compared to all other sports with the largest difference in the lower body, pelvis and spine mineral density. In fact, their total body BMD of 1.121 g/cm2 puts them more than two standard deviations from the mean for their age, indicating a risk for osteoporosis.
...imagine if you are a Master's female swimmer who drinks a pot of coffee a day and while working 12 hours at her desk job....might as well call up Sally Fields and get some Boniva.
www.swimmingscience.net/.../bone-mineral-density-in-swimmers.html
