This is especially important during the winter months, when people of all ages and abilities tend to decrease their physical activity, swimming can be an excellent way to fight seasonal depression. In fact, the aquatic exercise industry has grown exponentially in recent years, especially since the pandemic, which opened the market up to a whole new group of people looking for ways to stay active from the comfort of home.
The benefits of aquatic therapy are immeasurable
As homeowners, aquatic centres, and community recreation facilities alike catch on to this trend (which is here for the long haul), the industry is only projected to grow from here. In new research commissioned by Swim England, swimming has been deemed the “number one indoor activity for parents and toddlers.” The activity not only aids in development for the youngsters, but it also encourages better sleep, improves co-ordination, and provides something even more intangible: parent-child bonding.
The benefits to aquatic therapy and exercise are innumerable, and thanks to modern science, society is constantly learning more about the positive aspects it has on one’s health and well-being, in addition to the many ways it can benefit humanity. Living in a world where information is always at the tip of one’s fingers, it is not knowledge that holds back the further development of these revelations, but the physical barriers that continue to deny access.
For a portion of the population without a pool or spa in their backyard, the social responsibility is left on the shoulders of public commercial pool owners to ensure their facilities are accessible to people of all abilities. People with disabilities make up the largest minority group in the entire world; however, society still tends to cater to a one-size-fits-all mentality. The importance of ensuring accessibility cannot be understated—and, ultimately, public pool owners have immense potential to realize their own benefits as well by seeing increased attendance to their pools.
Whether it is the perfect, low-impact backyard gym, a group class that people look forward to all week, or the bonding moment that connects families, these bodies of water have so much more to offer than many people realize. Hats off to those in the industry making the world a better place every day through aquatics (whether they realize it or not).
Resources
Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA)—www.phta.org
United States Water Fitness (USWF)—www.uswfa.com
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—www.cdc.gov
National Library of Medicine (NLM)—www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6585867
Institute of Swimming—www.swimming.org
Author
Marley Cunningham is the director of marketing at Aqua Creek Products in Missoula, Montana. She can be reached at mcunningham@aquacreek.com.
