Beneficios para la salud del ejercicio físico en el agua

La natación es la cuarta actividad deportiva más popular en los Estados Unidos y es una buena forma de hacer ejercicio aeróbico con regularidad ¹. Tan solo dos horas y media de actividad aeróbica por semana, como nadar, andar en bicicleta o correr, pueden reducir el riesgo de presentar enfermedades crónicas ^{2, 3}. También puede mejorar la salud de las personas que tienen diabetes o enfermedades cardiacas ². En comparación con personas inactivas, el riesgo de muerte de los nadadores es casi la mitad ³. Las personas dicen que disfrutan más hacer ejercicio en el agua que en tierra firme ⁴. También pueden hacerlo por más tiempo, sin aumentar el esfuerzo ni los dolores de los músculos o las articulaciones ^{5, 6}.

Referencias

1. US Census Bureau. Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012. Arts, Recreation, and Travel: Participation in Selected Sports Activities 2009. [XLS – 40 KB]
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: Be active, healthy, and happy! In Chapter 2: Physical Activity Has Many Health Benefits. 2009.
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