Regularly visiting swimming pools has been proven to reduce the number and intensity of colds, in news that is likely to spur on Swimfit users this winter.

Experts from North Carolina conducted tests on 1,002 adults aged between 18 and 85 years old over 12 weeks.

They discovered that the ones who went swimming at least five times a week experienced cold-like symptoms almost half as much as those who exercised no more than once a week.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the severity of these colds was on average 31 per cent lower for the most physically active people.

The researchers suggested that colds were being warded off by a temporary rise in the body's immune system, which occurred every time the participants exercised.

Ian Freeman is an exercise scientist for The ASA, which is the governing body for swimming in England.

"Your immune system actually dips during exercise but then raises to a higher level over time," he explained. "Exercise like swimming is fantastic for reducing stress which helps maintain a healthy body."

Reducing your susceptibility to colds is just one of the reasons why you may want to consider signing up to Swimfit over the winter months.

This free work-out programme has been designed by experts at the ASA, with support from British Gas, to help both novices and experienced athletes achieve their goals in the swimming pool.

The scheme is intended to support people who are swimming for health, swimming to get into shape, swimming to reach their peak fitness or even swimming competitively.

To sign up for Swimfit, simply visit the Register for MySwimfit page on Swimming.org.

Website: http://www.swimming.org/

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