LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
Aside from the physical issues, there can be physiological problems for older swimmers, especially those who are learning new skills. I teach children and adults at all levels, and children generally absorb information more quickly, while some adults quickly reach overkill and get exasperated easily. At the height of a particularly frustrating session, one client recently remarked: “I managed to learn to fly quicker than this!” I wasn’t surprised: swimming is on a par with learning a language or a musical instrument, as you have to coordinate timing, locomotion of the limbs and proprioception (sense of the water). Flicking a sequence of switches in a cockpit seems incredibly simple compared to this, especially when you consider that you are also being deprived of the most natural of human requirements, ie, breathing when you want to. Anyone can take up open water racing in their later years. For former elite swimmers, like me, it might just help you bridge the gap between two careers. It’s also the perfect sport for former triathletes who don’t have the time or inclination for three disciplines. Regardless of your ability, there will be something of interest
for any swimmer. This might be long-distance swimming without wetsuits, or one of the many open-water swim races now available; why not start with a mile and see where it takes you? In this issue, we feature the story of Penny Palfrey, 49, who swam
for 40 hours straight to ‘bridge’ the Cayman Islands. This month Roger Allsopp, 70, hopes to become the oldest man to swim the Channel (see leſt), and Diana Nyad, who will turn 62 on 22 August, hopes to smash her records by bridging the gap between Cuba and the US. As these examples show, even as we age, we can achieve the challenges we put our minds to. As long as we take care of our health and slowly, steadily train our bodies even in our 60s and 70s we can still work towards achieving our dreams. ○
Older people benefit from resistance
training. (Above) this 82-year-old swimmer took part in the BHF Heart of England swim
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76