Abstract P2128: Can We Swim Our Way to Better Health? A Cross-sectional National Survey

Abstract

Background: This study examined obesity and comorbidity rates, physical activity levels, and cardiovascular health, using Life’s Essential 8 (LE8), among the United States Masters Swimming (USMS) adult swimmers. Methods: A cross-sectional Qualtrics survey was distributed by USMS via an online newsletter and by 52 local masters swimming organizations via email. Results: We received responses from 1,097 USMS members. The participants’ mean age was 42.8 (range 18-84), body mass index was 25.1 (range 17-47), and 59.0% identified as women and 89.5% as White. The obesity rates among USMS participants were four times lower than the national rate (10.9% vs 41.9%). The obesity prevalence did vary significantly by race, education, and household income but not by age or occupational physical activity. USMS and national rate comparisons were 23.0% vs. 44.5% for hypertension, 5.6% vs. 14.3% for type 2 diabetes, 8.6% vs. 11.4% for high total cholesterol, and 6.3% vs. 17.2% for low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, respectively. The rate of USMS swimmers who met the recommended ≥150 minutes of aerobic activity a week, ≥two muscle-strengthening activities a week, and both was 96.6%, 65.6%, and 64.5%, respectively. When it comes to LE8 total score, USMS participants had 20% higher score than U.S. young adults free from cardiovascular disease (83.5 and 69.6, respectively, p=0.0001). In our sample, three in four adults had an ideal LE8 total score (≥80), compared to one in four from the NHANES sample that represents an estimated 90 million of the U.S. population. Overall, older USMS participants (mean age of 43; range 18-85) had significantly better LE8 score and estimated cardiovascular health than younger U.S. adults (mean age of 31; range 18-44). Conclusion: We observed low obesity and comorbidity rates and ideal estimated cardiovascular health among adult swimmers who are part of supervised and educational exercise environment overseen by the USMS.