Regular swimming helps control diabetes, high BP, and obesity: Study

The first group exercised for 2 h, 3 times/week in 29–33 °C swimming pool temperature for 16 weeks. Simultaneously, the control group did not participate in any exercise and advised them to keep on with their everyday lifestyle. After 16 weeks, the researchers analyzed all the obtained metabolic syndrome risk factors using a two-way ANOVA analysis of variance. 

The results showed that there were statistically significant differences at p < 0.05 in the variables of low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density of lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), blood Glucose (BG), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and body fat percent according to group, time, and interaction for the experimental group.

"The findings of the current study suggested that the regular 16 weeks of swimming sessions could be considered nonpharmacological approaches in managing T2DM and HTN," wrote the authors. 

"Therefore, this kind of exercise can a useful therapeutic tool for patients with T2DM, HTN, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and overweight. This is a clinically crucial finding since a continuous swimming program can be highly recommended for individuals with HTN and T2DM. Besides, it can be useful for individuals with obesity, overweight, and hyperlipidemia," they concluded.

The study titled, "Regular swimming exercise improves metabolic syndrome risk factors: a quasi-experimental study," is published in the journal BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation.

DOI: https://bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13102-021-00254-8