Health & Fitness With Swimming

'I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of seven just as I began swimming'

I’ve managed it over the years by listening to my doctor and taking my preventer inhalers. I never train without my reliever inhaler by the side of the pool, just in case, but very rarely have any problems.’

KAREN PICKERING, SWIMMER

Swimming is usually an excellent form of exercise for children and young people with asthma. The warm humid air in the pool is less likely to trigger symptoms of asthma. However, this is not the case for everyone and chlorine and swimming in cold water can trigger some people’s asthma. To minimise the effect of cold air ensure that everyone is warmed up thoroughly and that they have taken their inhaler beforehand.

20% of the British Olympic Team in Athens 2004 had asthma.

Hydration Issues

Keeping swimmers well hydrated is an ongoing concern for parents and coaches. It seems this group of athletes are particularly at risk of dehydration due to the fact that their fluid losses during activity are difficult to notice.

It is important that swimmers take a drink bottle with them to each training session and to use during the day at school.

Sports scientists have reported that there are critical periods in the life of a young person in which the effects of training can be maximised.

They have also concluded that it can take anything from eight to twelve years of training for a talented athlete to achieve elite status. This has led to the development of athletic models, which identify appropriate training aims at each stage of the athlete's physical development