Benefits of swimming in winter for young kids
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Parents often withdraw their kids from swimming classes in winter as a ‘precautionary measure’ each year as the temperature drops. When they return to swimming later in the year, not only have they missed out on the many benefits of swimming, they find that their kids still caught all the colds that went around. Check out these tips and keep your kids swimming throughout winter.
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When they return to swimming later in the year, not only have they missed out on the many benefits of swimming, they find that their kids still caught all the colds that went around.
Often because the swimming was not continued through the winter months their kids swimming has also regressed through lack of practice.
Benefits of swimming in winter for young kids
Check out these tips and keep your young kids swimming throughout winter.
Why young kids should swim in winter
Weather & the immune system
“Don’t go out in the cold, you’ll get sick”. Sound familiar? This is an old wives’ tale with a touch of truth in it.
Residual surface water needs warmth in order to evaporate. Unless the warmth is supplied by an outside agent such as a blow-dryer or warm air, it will use your kids body warmth for evaporation.
A continual reduction in your kids body temperature challenges their immune system.
If their immune system is already stressed, then the extra challenge of wet hair or standing with a wet body in a draught may cause a breakdown in resistance. This can allow cold and flu viruses to take hold.
Your kids health is based on the strength of their immune system, not the amount of stress encountered.
Why swim in winter?
Higher fitness levels are gained through swimming year round, making kids more resilient to stress and illness.
This, along with good nutrition will help them stay fit and healthy during winter.
The warmth factor
Ensure your kids wrap up warmly after their swimming lessons and don’t let them stand around wet in any draughts.
It is also a good idea to dry your kids hair after their swim class with a hair dryer or get them to wear a hat to and from the pool to help keep heat in.
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Source: This article was written by Hilton Brown Swimming, New Zealand’s leading swim school.