Since it is Summertime, I thought I would write an article on the benefits a singer can derive from some of the popular summer sports. Last month I wrote about books that deal with health. Two that I have on my own bookshelf that deal with this month's topic are Swimming For Total Fitness by Jane Katz Ed. D. with Nancy P. Buning and Running For Health and Beauty: A complete Guide Fo Women by Kathryn Lance. I would like to share some of the information included in these books and point out to you how these two sports can greatly improve your singing ability, stamina and volume.

Swimming is practically a perfect sport. It is, by far, the single best kind of exercise that a singer can do. Not only that, but as we all know, swimming feels so wonderful! Any opportunity you have to swim is also an opportunity to improve your health and, consequently, your voice.

Your heart, blood vessels and lungs are immediately affected by swimming. By increasing your aerobic capacity, you are increasing your heart rate so that your cardiovascular system can function more efficiently. You aerobic capacity and your singing ability are directly related. If the heart doesn't pump enough oxygen into the laryngeal area at a rate comparable to the demands of your music, then you simply won't be able to realize that music fully.

As your heart and lungs become more powerful your blood vessels actually increase in number and become more flexible. This allows for a greater exchange of oxygen in the muscles, thereby providing more fuel for muscle contraction. When this happens, your singing is so greatly enhanced that the change is amazing.

Swimming actually elongates the muscles as it simultaneously strengthens them. And, since your body is submerged in water, you don't feel the strain as you do from other sports. It is easier on your muscular/skeletal structure than running or race-walking and alleviates the negative side effects of so many other sports.

Tension in your muscles, stiffness and lack of flexibility make it impossible to sing at your best. Rock singers have to be in very good shape to keep up a continuous perfomance schedule. Many jobs are several sets long and many front people have to jump and run all over the stage as part of their presentation. The better shape you are in the better you will sound. Swimming also does wonders for your appearance!

Singing strength and escpecially volume -big, high, loud, crontrolled notes- absolutely demand a strong aerobic capacity and strong flexible muscles. I don't mean screaming, I mean sung high notes. No matter how strong you are, there's always room for improvement. Volume is breath velocity in singing, therefore, the greater the breath velocity the bigger the sound. The stronger the muscles, the more control and command you will have of your voice. Swimming is a wonderful way to increase your natural vocal capacity.

I don't know too many really wonderful singers who aren't also athletic. And the older you get, the more you will have to exercise to keep your body fit and your stamina and aerobic capacity up to par. Not too long ago a very interesting and informative article appeared in People magazine about Mick Jagger. He spoke about the tour and how he at 40, prepared for the grueling night after night performance schedule. Without fail he ran 3 to 5 miles every other day to keep in shape. Well, if it's good enough for him, it's good enought for you.

Now, running or jogging may not appeal to as many people as swimming but there are many advantages. And it sure gets you breathing. Try once around the nearest track and you'll see what I mean. Another advantage is that it is free. All you need are good sneakers and you're off. Even though there are indoor pools, not everyone can afford to join a spa or pool club. But I would think that any one who wanted to be a singer could afford a pair of good runnning shoes. This is one of the precautions you must take with running. If you don't have good shoes you can ruin your feet. Another necessity is stretching before and after you run. Neglecting these warm-ups and downs can injure you knees or give you shin splints. However, you don't have to run marathons. Running a mile or two or even three, three to four times a week is really all you need.

As in swimming, running increases your aerobic capacity and that improves your singing. The biggest benefit I've noticed is that it fills the color in your sound. It increases your stamina allowing you to sing longer and better.

I strongly recommend running on dirt rather than pavement and I also suggest you do some reading about this sport before you begin. There are magnificant books on running which are available in almost any health store. Most book stores have whole sections on sports and running is well-represented. When buying books, make sure they are easy to read with clear, simple formats. You don't want to be burdened -you just want accurate information and guidance.

I do a lot of exercise myself and I find that, of all the different things I've tried, nothing does it for me and my own voice like running on the track. I wouldn't say I'm a natural runner but I definitely notice a difference, even after only half a mile.

Singing is an athletic sport. There's just no way around it. And no other singer has to move around in such a strenuous fashion as a rock singer. Just watch MTV and tell me how many people you see standing still!

Well, enjoy your summer and your summer sports. See you next month.