Swimming is often underestimated for its benefits and ability to train the body as a whole. Although the buoyancy that being submersed in water offers can reduce the stress on the body’s joints, an incorrect spinal position during certain strokes can often lead to pain and discomfort. At elite level, if the swimmer’s trunk is not stable then the stroke will be less fluid and the aerodynamics will be affected, subsequently losing the competitor valuable time.
Pilates helps to strengthen the CORE and teaches how to move efficiently and correctly from a more stable centre producing a more powerful stokes whilst swimming. By strengthening the muscles nearest to the spine, the alignment of the trunk during swimming is improved and the peripheries (both arms and legs) gain flexibility and length combined with power. This creates longer, smoother strokes through the water with reduced risk of impact to the spinal joints. Arguably this could shave off valuable time for the elite swimmer.
