Swim

Whether as a leisure activity or as a sport: If you do it correctly, swimming is one of the healthiest types of sport and can be practiced into old age. Swimming is easy on the joints because the water carries part of your body weight. The weight relief makes swimming suitable for people who are overweight and / or have joint problems. An additional plus: You can swim in any weather condition. When the weather is warm, there is a pool, lake or sea available. In the cold season, the lengths can be completed in the indoor pool…

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What is being trained?
The right swimming technique
Bathing rules for more safety in the water
Whom can I ask?

What is being trained?

Swimming stresses many different muscle groups, improves endurance, promotes lung function, strengthens the immune system and leads to better blood circulation. Swimming also uses a lot of energy: the colder the water, the more energy the body has to use to maintain the temperature. When swimming, however, technique is of the essence.

The right swimming technique

The head should be immersed in the water during breaststroke swimming in order to advance the body in a stretched position underwater. It is important that the head is not stretched too far out of the water when taking a breath or that it is not kept above the water all the time. This can lead to overuse of the cervical spine, which can cause tension or back pain.

The healthiest swimming style from an orthopedic point of view is backstroke. The movement can be dosed so that you can swim almost on the spot.

The fastest and most economical swimming technique is the crawl. When crawling, intensive leg movements consume a lot of oxygen, but footwork only contributes around 20 percent to propulsion. Less well trained people should therefore rely primarily on the strength of their arms when crawling.

Well-fitting swimming goggles are important for all swimming styles. It protects the eyes from irritation and inflammation.

Tip In the bathing water database of AGES and the Ministry of Health, you can find information on water quality, visibility depth and temperature of all Austrian bathing waters.

Bathing rules for more safety in the water

Bathing rules ensure safety when swimming and bathing in the indoor, outdoor or lake. The bathing rules of the Austrian Water Rescue are:

Health: If you go swimming, you have to be healthy!
Pay attention to signs: You can read on the signs what is allowed and what is forbidden in the swimming pool. You have to stick to that!
Shower: Don't go into the water until you've showered and cooled off!
Feeling cold: Do not stay in the water when you are cold, otherwise you can get cramps! Cramps are dangerous for the swimmer!
Ear disease: If you have an earache or an ear injury, you can not swim, jump or dive!
Eating: If you've eaten a lot, wait an hour before getting back in the water.
Strong sun: Protect yourself from the sun (sun cream, cap, T-shirt)! If you are hot, you must not jump into the cold water!
High spirits: Don't let others talk you into doing something you're not good at (swimming far out, jumping in, or diving).
Jumping: Only jump into the water where it is allowed! You mustn't put anyone in danger! Don't jump into waters that you don't know, there could be many dangers!
Be careful in the adventure pool: there are often many people in the adventure pool. Therefore, also observe the people around you! Call for help when someone is in danger!

Whom can I ask?

"Fit Sport Austria" offers various swimming courses all over Austria as quality-tested offers of health-promoting exercise: eg swimming courses for beginners and advanced, pregnancy swimming, baby swimming, aqua fit, etc.