UAA’s ladies swimming
As one of the many branches of the UAA’s projects to have a positive impact on the community, the ladies swimming is the coming together of ladies of the African community to learn and practise swimming together. Swimming is a sport which helps build physical strength, tone body muscles and build endurance. Research conducted by Bupa UK, Burlingham et al (2022) and Ding and Du (2022) on the benefits of swimming, all discovered that swimming is therapeutic and also helps to improve cognitive functioning.
Through swimming, the ladies get to know each other more intimately through chatting and sharing their stories and difficulties to build solidarity. The sessions also serve as leisure for some of the ladies to relieve stress. Over 100 women have participated in the sessions since the concept of the project in June 2021. The swimming sessions take place on every Tuesdays at the Mounts baths leisure centre.
The sessions are not restricted to African women only and can therefore be joined by other women of different racial backgrounds. Interested in joining the sessions, email us at info@uaassociatio.org. Or contact us at 07932519532, 07706221460, 07522111326.
Burlingham, A., Denton, H., Massey, H., Vides N. and Harper, C.M., 2022. Sea swimming as a novel intervention for depression and anxiety: A feasibility study exploring engagement and acceptability. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 23, p.100472. Available at: Sea swimming as a novel intervention for depression and anxiety – A feasibility study exploring engagement and acceptability – ScienceDirect
BUPA UK, (2023). Six ways swimming benefits you from your mental wellbeing. Six ways swimming benefits your mental wellbeing (bupa.co.uk)
Ding, Z. and Du, L., 2022. Swimming exercise ameliorates depressive-like behaviour by anti-inflammation activity, rebalancing gut Escherichia coli and Lactobacilli. Brain Research, 1797, p.148113. Available at: Swimming exercise ameliorates depressive-like behavior by anti-inflammation activity, rebalancing gut Escherichia coli and Lactobacilli – ScienceDirect