How Swimming Changes a Female Swimmer's Body

How Swimming Affects a Woman's Body

Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise. It works your whole body, improves cardiovascular health, and has minimal impact on your joints. However, spending a lot of time in the pool can have some interesting effects on your body.

Wrinkly Fingers and Toes

After a long swim, you may notice your fingers and toes look pruney and wrinkled. This happens because of osmosis. When submerged in water for a prolonged time, the outer layer of skin absorbs water and begins to swell. But the inner skin layers do not absorb water, so the outer layer expands and gets wrinkly.

The wrinkles create channels on your hands and feet that help you grip wet surfaces better. Some research suggests pruney fingers may also help with sensation underwater. So next time your digits get pruney, don't worry - it's just an adaptation to help you swim better!

Dry and Damaged Hair

Chlorine and salt water can really damage your hair. Chlorine strips your hair of its natural oils, causing it to dry out. Salt is also very drying and can make hair brittle over time. On top of that, simply spending a lot of time in the water, brushing wet hair, and wearing swim caps causes extra wear and tear.

To help combat dry, damaged hair from swimming, be sure to wet your hair with fresh water before getting in the pool. This creates a barrier to help block absorption of chlorine and salt. Then wash, condition, and deep condition your hair after swimming. Use a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant spray as well.

Green Hair

If you swim in outdoor pools, you may occasionally deal with green hair. This happens when copper in the water oxidizes and binds to your hair. Thankfully a good swimmer's shampoo can easily remove the green tint.

To avoid green hair, wet your hair with clean water before swimming as mentioned above. You can also try a swimming cap. Just know chlorine can degrade latex and silicone caps over time.

Erratic Menstruation

Intense exercise can affect menstruation cycles. Female competitive swimmers often have irregular, missed, or even stopped periods. When the body fat percentage drops below a healthy level, ovulation and menstruation are disrupted.

Lighter swimming workouts - around 30-60 minutes per session - likely won't impact your cycle much. But overtraining can definitely take a toll. Be sure you are eating enough calories to fuel your workouts and maintain adequate body fat levels.

Chlorine Rash

Some people develop skin rashes from swimming in chlorinated water. Chlorine binds to proteins on skin and can trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. Chlorine rash usually appears within 30 minutes after getting out of the pool.

To help prevent rashes, shower immediately after swimming to wash chlorine off your body. Moisturize skin to counter dryness as well. If you do experience a rash, apply a hydrocortisone cream and avoid swimming until it clears up.

Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer's ear, also called otitis externa, is a painful infection in the outer ear canal. It often starts as a simple irritation when water gets trapped in the ears. But bacteria and fungi can multiply, causing infection and inflammation.

To help prevent swimmers ear, use earplugs or a swim cap when swimming. Be sure to dry your ears thoroughly after swimming by gently wiping the outer ears with a towel. Tilt your head to each side to let water drain out. You can also use a hair dryer on the lowest setting.

Increased Muscle Definition

Swimming engages nearly all your major muscle groups, leading to increased muscle size, strength, and definition all over. Core muscles get worked as you kick and rotate your torso. Arms and shoulders get a great workout too.

Unlike lifting weights in the gym, swimming shapes and tones muscle without bulk. Female swimmers build long, lean muscle for a slim, athletic physique. The resistance provided by water is also gentle on joints compared to other high impact activities.

Better Body Image

Being in a swimsuit surrounded by other female swimmers can understandably cause some self-consciousness. But research shows most women have a better body image after swim sessions compared to other gym workouts.

Seeing different body types and appreciating shared athletic abilities contributes to this positive shift. As an individual sport, swimming can also boost self-esteem since you rely entirely on your own effort and skills.

Increased Endurance

Swimming laps for 30-60 minutes straight requires serious cardiovascular endurance. Over time, a swimmers heart, lungs, and circulation become conditioned to work more efficiently. Blood volume expands, your heart pumps more blood per beat, and capillaries supply working muscles with oxygen better.

These cardiovascular adaptations allow serious swimmers to churn out hundreds of laps without getting fatigued. Even recreational swimming helps boost endurance to make other daily activities like walking, chores, and playing easier.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.