News Release: Tuesday 3^rdJune 2003

HEALTH BENEFITSPROMPT INCREASE IN SWIMMING

With an average working week of 44 hours and one in sixpeople working more than 60 hours per week, Britain has longer working hoursthan most other European countries, the latest National Statistics LabourSurvey reveals. At the same time, arecent Mintel report confirms that workers are becoming more aware of thebeneficial effects of exercise in reducing stress and maintaining awell-balanced life. Over 22% of the populationswims for exercise at least once a month (the highest participation figure ofany sport), a number that is increasing rapidly.

Commenting on swimmings rise in popularity, AllenBrobyn, Managing Director of the British Swimming Pool Federation (BSPF), whichpromotes the use and ownership of pools, hot tubs and spas in the UK, says,Swimming is not only enjoyable but also has unique health benefits. It issuitable for people of different ages and varying levels of fitness; from theunfit person taking their first few strokes to the competitive swimmer trainingfor a race, each can perform to their own level.

Swimming is becoming big business. Disposable incomespent on health and fitness, including swimming, is predicted to grow by 59 percent over the next five years. Many people visit their local leisure centre orhealth club several times a week and include swimming in their attempts tostart or maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Benefitsof swimming for all-round fitness and general good health

Swimming is oneof the few forms of exercise that improves all-round fitness and general healthbecause it boosts strength, stamina and suppleness all at the same time. It uses all the major muscle groups and isas effective as aerobic exercise in helping to keep heart and lungshealthy. It also keeps joints flexible,especially in the neck, shoulders, hips and groin.

Swimming has allthe cardiovascular benefits of running, but with some of the strength-buildingeffects of weight training and some of the suppleness-promoting effects ofdance classes. Another benefit is thestrength and improved co-ordination that is built up, which also reduces therisk of falls and hip fractures to the elderly.

Because the bodys natural buoyancy in water helps avoid the jarring knocksthat can cause injuries, swimming is kinder to the body than land-basedexercise. A person weighs a tenth oftheir normal weight in the water, and the range of motion for less fit peopleis much wider, as the water supports their limbs. For this reason, swimming maywell suit people who have back or weight problems, arthritis or arepregnant.

Increasing thelevel of physical activity through swimming increases the amount of energyburnt up a vital component of a weight management programme. Doctors or staff at your local swimming poolmay be able to help you in your aim to get fit and shed any surpluspounds.

Swimmingstyles and programmes

To gain maximumhealth benefit from swimming, an energetic programme is required. This should begin with a warm up, whichreduces the risk of damage and increases the heart rate. When a swimmer reaches a reasonable level offitness, a programme can be adopted of warming up with slow strokes for 5-10minutes, followed by 20-40 minutes of continuous swimming using differentstrokes, and ending with a five-minute cool down period of slower, gentlerswimming.

It is best toswim at least once a week to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Swimming for 30 to 50 minutes from three tofive times a week provides a good amount of aerobic exercise to promote ahealthy heart and lungs.

The groups ofmuscles used in swimming vary according to the stroke performed. Using a variety of backstroke, front crawl(freestyle) and breaststroke will exercise all the major muscle groups.

A persons bodyshape will determine how fast they can swim for a given level of effort. While being able to swim faster is a markerof improving fitness, try not to worry about the speed of other swimmers aroundyou. What is important is improvingyour own speed and swimming for a reasonable length of time.

As well asswimming, a variety of other forms of exercise can be undertaken in water,either individually or in classes.These include water aerobics (aqua aerobics), water yoga, and stretchingin the water. Local pools can providedetails of classes available.

-ENDS -

For further press information please contact Kirsty Murray on
tel: 0208 770 9720 or email KirstyMurray@tta-pr.co.uk

Notes toEditors:

TheBritish Swimming Pool Federation (BSPF) has been set up to bringtogether, in one organisation, the UK bodies representing contractors,manufacturers, distributors and retailers of swimming pools, spas, saunas,steam rooms and associated equipment.

The BSPFcomprises:

The Swimming Pool and Allied TradesAssociation (SPATA), the trading and building standardsarm of the BSPF, which sets and publishes technical standards for constructionand operation of pools, spas, saunas and steam rooms.

Experienced pool builders havedeveloped these authoritative standards over the past 40 years. Technical advice and mediation services arealso available

SPATEX,the annual trade exhibition

Pool Industry Promotion (PIP), handlingpublicity and public relations for the industry

British & Irish Spa and Hot TubAssociation (BISHTA), the association for the domesticself-contained spa and hot tub market, ensuring safe spa water for the public

BSPF publications,Pool Industry, the industrys own trade magazine and Pool and Garden