Abstract
Exercise training is accepted to be beneficial in lowering morbidity and mortality
in patients with cardiac disease. Swimming is a popular recreational activity, gaining
recognition as an effective option in maintaining and improving cardiovascular fitness.
Swimming is a unique form of exercise, differing from land-based exercises such as
running in many aspects including medium, position, breathing pattern, and the muscle
groups used. Water immersion places compressive forces on the body with resulting
physiologic effects. We reviewed the physiologic effects and cardiovascular responses
to swimming, the cardiac adaptations to swim training, swimming as a cardiac disease
risk factor modifier, and the effects of swimming in those with cardiac disease conditions
such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and the long-QT syndrome.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 22, 2013
Accepted:
March 17,
2013
Received in revised form:
February 4,
2013
Received:
September 6,
2012
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc.
