There’s hardly a child who doesn’t love swimming. Take advantage of the beauty of summer and try to create the conditions to make swimming a regular activity. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Binnet, an Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist at Acıbadem Ankara Hospital, says that this will contribute positively to the child’s physical and mental development, and adds that it is also an excellent option for instilling a lifelong habit of exercise.

Physical development is recognized as an integral part of children’s intellectual and emotional development. For this reason, exercise is important not only for children’s physical development but also for their mental development. Noting that children who engage in regular sports experience improved learning capacity and self-confidence, Prof. Dr. Binnet states, “Swimming is one of the few sports that requires the use of the entire body, thereby simultaneously enhancing cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, and flexibility.” “That is why it makes a very important contribution to children’s development,” he said.

Prof. Dr. Binnet, who notes that swimming is a good option for getting children away from computers and tablets, points out that swimming is an activity that contributes positively to children’s health and development—from muscle development to obesity, and from cognitive development to heart disease. The ideal age range for introducing children to swimming is cited as 5–8.

1 – It accelerates muscle and bone development
While swimming, the entire body works simultaneously and in a coordinated manner. As a result of this coordinated effort, every muscle develops and strengthens equally. This also reduces the risk of injury as you age. While swimming, the chest, shoulder, and back muscles work particularly hard. In addition, the leg and arm muscles also strengthen. Prof. Dr. Binnet notes that children who participate in this sport experience faster muscle and bone development, which leads to them growing taller more quickly than their peers and their bodies developing in a proportionate manner.

2 – Prevents Obesity
Children are leading increasingly sedentary lifestyles due to computers, tablets, and phones, which have become their favorite toys. This inevitably leads to weight gain and obesity. However, it is well known that preventing obesity in children is far easier and more important than treating potential health problems. Swimming also helps children with eating disorders by increasing their appetite, thereby contributing to healthy physical development.

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Binnet says, “Swimming is one of the best exercises you can choose to combat obesity and achieve a healthy body mass index. “Every child loves playing in the water. Moreover, since water makes movement easier, it’s particularly helpful for children who are overweight. This way, it’s possible to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, and the child becomes much more energetic,” he said.

3 – Protects against heart disease
Noting that regular swimming helps regulate blood pressure and improve blood circulation in children, Prof. Dr. Binnet said, “Swimming not only strengthens the heart muscle but also protects children from potential heart conditions. Children who swim regularly also have a steady heart rhythm.”

4 – Improves motor skills

During childhood, falls pose a significant risk, especially for more active children. However, swimming is among the sports that can be considered a viable option because the risk of falling is much lower compared to outdoor activities such as running and jumping. Prof. Dr. Binnet noted that swimming is one of the sports that can be recommended for children who experience balance issues—particularly due to low muscle tone (the resistance a muscle offers to movement)—and are therefore at a higher risk of falling. Because children become weightless in the water, low muscle tone poses less of an obstacle to their mobility. It also helps them achieve better balance by improving their motor skills.

5 – Keeps the mind sharp
In general, exercise increases the levels of serotonin, often referred to as the “happiness hormone.” The rise in these hormones after swimming helps children feel much better. Swimming’s psychologically soothing effect also keeps children’s minds sharp. Prof. Dr. Binnet points out that, for this reason, children who regularly engage in sports also see an improvement in their academic performance.

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