At my yearly physical last week a funny thing happened. The doctors staff informed me that swimming is not an aerobic exercise and that I would be better off walking briskly for 20 to 30 minutes a couple days each week.
I explained I try to swim 2 to 3 times each week for 60 to 90 minutes,and my workout is prepared by MO, ya'll might recognise that name. They asked me the distance I cover in that time and I responded with 2800 to 3500 yards or 1.5 to 2 miles depending on time.
Not good enough according to the staff. I should be walking. I will let the facts stand for themselves.
Age 48
Wt 149
BP 120/80
Pulse 60
Body Fat 18%
Total Cholesterol 194 (need to eat better)
Well it is off to the pool for another MO workout. Maybe I will walk briskly from my car to the pool and see if that counts. Thanks for those workouts MO I enjoy them.
Have a great day
Paul
Parents
Former Member
It's not that more exercise is bad for you, the point is that moderate exercise is sufficient to lower the risk of cardiovascular death. I believe the current recommendation is 30 minutes of brisk walking daily. Unfortunately the majority of the population can't (or won't) even accomplish this. I suspect that training 12-15K/week (which seems to be the average for Masters swimmers) is more than adequate but I'm not aware of any studies looking at this. Lap swimming (HR less than 120 and nonweight bearing) may not be enough.
It's not that more exercise is bad for you, the point is that moderate exercise is sufficient to lower the risk of cardiovascular death. I believe the current recommendation is 30 minutes of brisk walking daily. Unfortunately the majority of the population can't (or won't) even accomplish this. I suspect that training 12-15K/week (which seems to be the average for Masters swimmers) is more than adequate but I'm not aware of any studies looking at this. Lap swimming (HR less than 120 and nonweight bearing) may not be enough.
