A group of public health researchers from Australia, Austria and the UK conducted a study among 80,306 British adults aged 30+ years to find out how participation in specific sports is associated with longevity. They asked the participants about their participation in six sports (aerobics, cycling, football, racquet sports, running and swimming) and on average nine years later collected data on death cases.
Participation in swimming was found to be associated with 41% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and with 28% lower risk of premature death from any cause. The positive effects of swimming were similarly high regardless of the exercise intensity level.
These are encouraging and motivating findings for everybody who is considering to start swimming and also for those who already regularly swim. If you want to live longer and more healthily, jump in the water as soon as possible!