22/07/2026 19:47 - Salud
For the first time, a clinical trial would provide solid evidence on the positive effects of swimming for people with persistent back pain. According to publications dated July 22, 2026, a team from Macquarie University in Australia found that eight weeks in the water could significantly improve quality of life.
Chronic lower back pain is discomfort that persists in the lower back for more than 12 weeks. It is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. International medical guidelines recommend exercise and education as first-line treatments, although rigorous evidence on the specific efficacy of swimming was lacking until now.
The research, led by physiotherapist Deborah Wareham and co-authored by professor Mark Hancock, would highlight that water buoyancy facilitates movements that would be painful or limited on dry land. Swimming would not only improve range of motion and strength, but also boost overall aerobic capacity.
According to the study published in the journal British Journal of Sports Medicine, many participants regained confidence to exercise in general after the program. Some continued swimming, while others felt encouraged to practice different physical disciplines.
Swimming positions itself as a valid and scientifically backed alternative to improve the quality of life for millions of people, comparable to the effects reported for disciplines like Pilates.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
