Holistic Health
Parents should encourage children to swim when young
Water activities have a beneficial effect on people of all ages , though few in SE Asia take the time to learn
Experts say that swimming offers more health and safety benefits than virtually any other sport , but it ’ s yet to take off in Southeast Asia .
The results can be tragic as the number of drowning deaths in Malaysia , for example , hovers at an average of 700 per year , and drowning ranks second after road traffic injuries as a leading cause of accidental death , according to the Malaysian Paediatric Association .
It ’ s the norm in most countries for people to learn how to swim early in life . If they miss the opportunity at a young age , it ’ s unlikely that they ’ ll take to the water as adults and will miss out on its health and protective benefits .
That ’ s according to Dr Solina Nazari , who founded the Summer Splash swimming academy in Subang Jaya , on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur .
“ Swimming is one of these things that you have to learn when you ’ re young . It ’ s rare to find adults taking swimming lessons ; they probably think that they ’ ll never need to swim if they aren ’ t the sort of people who go to beaches and swim in the sea ,” she told Global Health Asia-Pacific .
“ That ’ s a shame though , because swimming can really help your health and fitness , as well as mend aches and pains in later life . It ’ s so easy to find a pool in Malaysia , but you will rarely find one that ’ s full of people ,” she added .
Many of the older generation who get introduced to swimming do so in a bid to perform low-impact exercise that ’ s easy on the muscles and joints .
Sarkuna Devi , a consultant physiotherapist at Prince Court Medical centre in Kuala Lumpur , told Global Health Asia-Pacific that hydrotherapy and aquatic rehabilitation — treatment that involves physical movement and exercising in water — are suitable for people of all ages , especially mothers to be and older patients with chronic joint trouble .
“ This is because the water supports the body ’ s weight , which helps to relieve pain and increase the range of movement of joints in those who are recovering from mobility issues due to neurological or sports-related injuries .
“ Our hydro pool is also used for antenatal and postnatal aqua fitness . Additionally , our sports aqua rehab programme is specifically designed to gather all sports injury patients for strengthening , flexibility , proprioception and endurance , and balance training in the pool ,” she said .
Swimming also has a legion of other benefits for people of all ages , from simultaneously building strength and cardio abilities to gaining more power in the lungs . Not only does it improve one ’ s physical wellbeing , for many it ’ s an opportunity to get closer to nature and help with mental welfare , in turn helping maintain a healthy weight and reducing stress . There are even studies showing that being around water has a positive effect on the brain .
“ That ’ s why we advise parents to get their children into the pool as soon as they can , even when they ’ re toddlers . The sooner you come in contact with water and start swimming , the more comfortable you ’ ll be in it , whether it ’ s for exercise , recreation , or god forbid , if you ever find yourself in trouble ,” said Dr Nazari .
The number of drowning deaths in Malaysia hovers at an average of 700 per year
20 OCTOBER 2021 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com