Does Open Water Swimming Change When You Get Older?
It is possible.While most people gain the advantages of experience and navigational savvy as they age and do more open water swimming, there are some possible effects of aging on open water swimming. Jim Miller MD FAAFP and former National Team Physician of the USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Team who sits on the FINA Sports Medicine Committee, explains, “Many people have labyrinthine problems with motion. Typically, this worsens with age, but it can happen at any time.
A great example of aging and the labyrinthine canals is to point out there are very few teenagers who do not like roller coasters compared with those over the age of 60 who do not like them. Aging changes the ability of the labyrinthine canals in the inner ear to accommodate for motion.”So some people may be more sensitive to rough water conditions as they age.Photo courtesy of Dr. Miller at the 2010 Global Open Water Swimming Conference by Skip Storch.
Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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