Complimentary Sports

Kids are so heavily scheduled these days, I know many parents whose kids are undertaking 2 or 3 different sports or activities weekly! We hope that one of those activities is swim training! But have you ever thought about how the other activities done might compliment what you are trying to achieve in the pool? I know when i look back at some of the students i have taught, all the children who developed great form and tidy strokes really quickly all had one thing in common. They also did gymnastics or dance! Interestingly, participating in these activities concurrently can have multiple benefits, as the skills within each of these activities are transferable.

Swimming is an excellent way to develop core strength, as it requires the activation of abdominal muscles to maintain a stable body position in the water. This strength can then be applied to gymnastics, where core stability is essential for performing skills such as cartwheels and handstands. Similarly, dance requires precise movements and body alignment, which also require a strong core foundation.

Upper body strength is another aspect that can be improved by practicing swimming, gymnastics, and dance concurrently. Swimmers need strong arms to pull themselves through the water, while gymnasts rely heavily on upper body strength for maneuvers such as flips and handstands. Dancers also need upper body strength to execute turns and lifts.

The concept of “mind muscle connection” is a term used to describe the neural pathways between the brain and muscles that allow for precise control and improved performance. This concept is applicable in all three activities, as each requires deliberate muscle control to execute movements correctly. For example, swimmers need to have a precise movement pattern to maximize the efficiency of their strokes, while dancers need to be able to move their bodies with precision, grace, and poise. In gymnastics, proper form and technique are crucial for achieving success in tumbling and aerial skills. If we look more specifically at certain movements we can compare the breaststroke kick to first position with a plie in ballet and streamlining to a handstand in gymnastics.

It's no secret that great swimmers start with strong foundations. Straight, strong and tight are words used frequently in those early stages. Three words that are also very familiar to dancers and gymnasts. As parents, we can encourage our children to try different activities and explore these benefits, allowing them to become well-rounded individuals and as teachers we can use skills developed in these other sports to draw parallels to and benefit their swim training.