Ford’s Swimming Pool

Jul 10

On June 30, 1975, one of US President Gerald Ford’s lesser dreams was realized with the opening of the White House pool. The first White House pool, which was located indoors, was built in 1933 for President Franklin Roosevelt to permit physical therapy for his post-polio syndrome. In 1970, it was filled in to provide space for the White House press briefing room. The second, an outdoor pool, was installed on the south lawn, and Ford, a regular swimmer, was photographed at its opening.

Ford had long been in the practice of swimming twice per day at his private residence in Alexandria and wished to continue his regimen while president. Unlike some of his predecessors and successors, who have not taken physical fitness so seriously, Ford was a former captain of the University of Michigan football team and probably the greatest athlete ever to hold the office, which helps to explain his dedication to exercise. In the following 50 years, we have come to understand even better the benefits of regular physical activity.

Regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, while an inactive lifestyle is an independent risk factor for their development. It helps the heart pump more effectively, lowers resistance to blood flow in the arteries, and improves strength, endurance, and balance. Broadly speaking, the more a person exercises, the greater the benefits, a phenomenon known as a dose-response relationship. Even those who have suffered a heart attack enjoy improved survival if they exercise.

Regular exercise also reduces the risk of cancer, perhaps in part by helping to regulate levels of hormones such as insulin and estrogen that can stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Immune function is also improved, which has benefits not only in warding off cancer but also battling infectious diseases, as became apparent during the COVID pandemic. Regular physical activity also reduces inflammation, which appears to be a factor in the development of a number of cancers.

Some specifics: Regular exercise appears to reduce the risk of breast cancer by up to 21% compared to those who exercise least; the risk of colon cancer is reduced about 19%; kidney cancer risk is reduced 12%; the risk of bladder cancer is reduced by about 15%; endometrial cancer risk is about 20% lower; and stomach cancer risk is 19% lower. Even among those who smoke, the risk of lung cancer is reduced, although this appears not to be the case for non-smokers.

Exercise also has important mental health benefits. It appears to enhance neuroplasticity, which is involved in learning, and stimulates neuron growth. People who exercise regularly enhance their ability to cope with stress and improve both their memory and ability to solve problems. Other enhancements include enhanced mood, as well as decreased rates of depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Exercise also appears to help individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Regular exercise also addresses a number of risk factors for disease. It decreases the risk of obesity, which is an independent risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It also improves glucose utilization in the body, helping to protect against diabetes. Good muscle strength helps to protect joints against arthritis, and strength training also reduces the risk of osteoporosis, a major cause of fractures in the elderly. In many cases, exercise not only reduces the risk but also aids in the treatment of a number of such conditions.

Unsurprisingly, exercise helps to reduce all-cause premature mortality and improve a person’s sense of health and well-being. Those who exercise generally report higher energy levels and greater resistance to fatigue. Those who manage to adopt and stick with a regular exercise regimen develop habits such as discipline that can provide benefits in other spheres, such as work and personal life. Exercise enthusiasts have described a psychological state of exhilaration sometimes referred to as a “runner’s high.”

Making a conscious decision to exercise has probably never been more important, as work and home life have become progressively less physically demanding. Centuries ago, both generally required a substantial caloric expenditure in such activities as farming and homemaking, while today many people sit in front of computer screens or take full advantage of labor-saving domestic devices such as washing machines. Today a healthy person needs to make exercise part of a daily routine.

Some people exercise by participating in sports, a practice especially common among youth. Today, however, more people than ever exercise without playing games, as in running, calisthenics, and activities in health clubs such as weightlifting. Of course, exercise can also take other forms, such as dance, and those who participate regularly in ballroom or square dancing are not only getting their heart rates up but deriving additional benefits from social interaction.

Like anything else, of course, exercise can be taken too far. Some people overtrain, which can cause injuries or impede recovery from physical activity. With time, excessive exercise can begin to underdo many of the benefits, resulting in reductions in strength, increased susceptibility to fatigue, and discouragement. Exercise alone is not the path to a healthful and fulfilling life, and those who become too obsessed with taking care of themselves may soon find that they are neglecting other worthy pursuits.

How much exercise is needed? Recommendations vary, but it appears that 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes per week of intense exercise provides a high level of benefit. Recently, it has become clear that strength training, such as weightlifting, is also effective, and engaging in such activities about twice per week seems to provide considerable benefit. Other forms of exercise that involve stretching and balance, such as yoga, are also helpful.

All in all, Ford was on to something when he had a new pool installed at the White House. Many of us may lack the space or financial resources to install our own swimming pools, but most of us can join a sports league, enroll in physical fitness classes, or simply wear out a pair of running or walking shoes, thereby becoming more physically fit and healthy. Ford liked to say, “The harder you work, the luckier you get,” and he kicked off most days with exercise at 5:45 am. Herein lies a lesson for each of us: Get up and get moving!