Why You May Want Racket Sports Or Swimming In Your Exercise Routine

When thinking about ways to add variety and heart-healthy benefits to your weekly exercise routine, you might consider a racket sport, or swimming.

Researchers in Europe and Australia studied data gathered from over 80,000 people to compare the life extension benefits from six types of exercise. They found that racket sports, followed by swimming, and aerobics were the best activities for reducing the risk of premature death from heart disease, and other causes.

Although the study’s three other types of exercise - cycling, running, and football (soccer) - provide specific health benefits, they did not significantly lower the risk for cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in this research.

Cardiovascular health is a particular concern for those with diabetes because over time elevated glucose levels damage blood vessels and nerves. This can lead to problems such as heart disease, and stroke. So, adding a racket sport (e.g., tennis, badminton, racket ball), some pool time, or more aerobic exercise to our workout week, with our doctor's okay, is something to contemplate.

Why Raise A Racket, Or Dive In

The researchers believe there are a couple of reasons why racket sports, aerobics, and swimming help extend our lives:

• First, these activities require full body participation (using arms and legs), and this really gets our heart working.
• Second, these activities often involve intense bursts of effort interspersed with brief rest periods. Short rest intervals, such as picking up a tennis ball and serving it, allow the heart to continue beating at an aerobic level, but without sustained stress.

Of the study’s six exercise activities, swimming was the favorite* among participants, and swimming offers an obvious benefit for those who have difficulty getting about on land—it’s a non-weight bearing exercise. People dealing with joint problems, nerve pain, and other mobility issues can enjoy a wider range of motion in the water, usually with less discomfort, and minimal risk of injury or falling. The natural buoyancy and resistance provided by water also make activities such as water aerobics, and deep water running increasingly popular.

Racket sports, despite their association with life extension, were ranked a lowly fifth in popularity by the study participants. Still, it might be time for us to get our rackets down from the garage shelf and dust them off. A bi-weekly session of racket ball or tennis apparently pays big health dividends, and may prevent us from falling into an exercise rut.

Something Always Beats Nothing

The research also indicates, however, that any type of regular exercise is better than doing nothing. No matter which activity was pursued, all the study’s active participants lowered their risk of death. Though racket sports, swimming, and aerobics are the study’s top picks, the healthiest choice may be selecting a variety of activities we enjoy, and will continue to do.

Source: Mercola Fitness

* The popularity of the study’s six sports, from favorite to least favorite: swimming, cycling, aerobics, running/jogging, racket sports, football (soccer).