Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Sporting ASKickers Swimming, Cold or Hot Water

Hey I used to swim alot too. I prefer running now thou.

I've started survival swimming since I was 3 and then represented my school competitively when I was in high school.

If it was up to preference, I would pick the cold water pool over the warm water pool. For me it doesn't matter if the waters warm or hot, after a few laps the body generally warms ups.

However you're right about the muscles cool off faster in cold condition. This is why they advise us never to stay out of the water for long periods and then jump right back into the pool. More likely to get cramps this way.

Anyway heres some of tips for swimming :

Always always make sure you've got the right strokes. This is extremely important. If your strokes isn't properly corrected, you could be using applying the pressure on your joints rather then using your muscles...not good for AS.

Swimming is really about coordination. Feel your body when doing your strokes.

I did suggest training your arms or legs individually until you can coordinate them. To train arms get a pull-boy between your leg. To train the leg only, get a kicking board. There are hand paddles to help correct strokes too, be sure to check all the different hand paddles thou, some are catered to specific strokes.

Always take a bath before you jump into the pool. This doesn't have anything to do with hygiene but the cold shower actually "conditions" your body temperature so your body knows what to expect in the pool.

Make sure you've got a good pair of goggles on if you don't want red eyes.

Before you swim, inhale through the mouth and "blow bubbles" in the water with your mouth as well. This is to "warm up" your lungs.

Last but not least, when rising your head above water, inhale through the mouth then blow bubbles when under water through your mouth.

Don't forget the sun block.

Always do some full body strechting being swimming.

Have fun.