ABOUT SWIMMING…

ORGANISM ENDURANCE

The reduced contact of the human with the nature leaded to the notion 'homus domesticus' (= sedentary) which helps to the definition of the “de-conditioning syndrome” which shows up especially by the diminution of the thermoregulation function, etc.

Organism endurance has a rhythmical, seasonal functionality to protect the organism to the changing of the temperature (hot/cold). If the organism is correctly “trained” by repeating the normal natural endurance methods, an important prophylactic mechanism will show up and this is how health will be supported and consolidated.

It is known that the exposition of body’s great surfaces to contrast factors, especially in summer but not only, stimulates the thermoregulation capacity (12-14 days treatments); also, the usage of cold water after every bath or shower is better to be taught from early ages. But the best conditions to exercise this is given by swimming.

Swimming practice should be in the attention of all the population, regardless the age or profession; swimming is directly part of the locomotor system, effort capacity training and has links with the education within work and responsibility, without mentioning the harmonic growth and development of the young organism.

The endurance mechanism consists of the training of the thermoregulation system by contrast means of the environmental temperature: air, water, movement. All these influence (physically and psychologically) the organism and the individual’s personality.

(* photo from Schwimmsport, K.M. Fiedler, Sportverlag, Berlin 1985)

But the greatest test is to give up the comfort we are used to; “back to the nature” is already a myth hard to be achieved back …?!

In Nordic Countries, there is a normal association between a sauna and the immersion in a cold as ice water – this is how the organism endures the changing of the environment.

It is being said that the Emperor Iulius Cesar wrote in his works about the Nordic people who were bathing their children in cold river waters… he even related how he lost a battle because of the enemies who swam, in group, in order to take the emperor by surprise.

This may be the reason why, in nowadays Germany, young people run through the cold waters of the North Sea or the Baltic Sea – one thing that we could never do!

But, there is a simple way to make an elementary exercise at home: this is the normal shower. Ever bath or shower must be finished with a cold water session – the coldest possible, for a few seconds not more than 1 minute. This procedure must be the final stage of the bath, shower. To “endure” this, means to have a psychological endurance also, next to a real “gymnastics” of the periphery blood vessels which will stop the hot blood flux in order to stop the exodus of the organism heat and protecting it from a inevitably cold.

Talking about the shower, we must keep in mind that it may have also positive benefits upon the psychological relaxation; in the evening while being stressed by the daily problems start your shower in deep darkness; for some minutes, even with your eyes opened, remain relaxed and disposed to associate the water flowing on your body with the disappearance of your troubles… Try this.