Parent’s have been implementing this rule for years, “Don’t go swimming! You just ate!”
Recent research shows that this well-intentioned warning may be nothing more than an old wives tale. This warning is based on the misinformed idea that the stomach will take away some of the oxygen needed by your muscles while swimming.
Dr. Peter Wernicki, aquatics chair of the American Red Cross advisory council on first aid, aquatics, safety and preparedness, says it is true some blood is shunted to the gut in digestion, reports Helen Branswell.
“(But) any healthy person has plenty of blood and plenty of oxygen and they can do both,” he says from Vero Beach, Fla.
“If you really are going to vigorously exercise - any exercise - eating a large meal beforehand is not a great idea,” Wernicki adds. “It can make you uncomfortable. It might affect your performance somewhat. But it’s not going to make you drown.”
To read more from MedBroadcast about the hour rule click here.