swimming

The term "swimming" refers to the

propulsion of body through the water with
the help of limbs to move in the desired
direction. It is basically locomotion of
creatures in water to survive, but
amphibians also have an ability to go with
this kind. Human uses swimming for
many purposes such as exercise, sports and recreation. The medium can either be
still or turbulent or moving with a velocity.
It only depends upon the science of liquid.
Ideally, a body with a relative density of 0.98
can float in water being less dense to it and a
creature can move through it with the help of its
limbs. The human body can’t float in water as its
relative density is slightly less than that. Hence,
it has to be in motion. Researchers have found
swimming as one of the best exercises to keep
human bodies healthy and active, healing
numerous breathing issues and providing
comfort to joints of bones. As sports, it offers
many styles to perform skills and a healthy environment to compete individually as
well as a team.
H i s t o r y of s w i m m i n g
Proof of recreational swimming in ancient occasions has been found, with the most
reliable evidence dating to Stone Age artworks from around 10,000 years prior.
Composed references date from 2000 BC, with probably the most reliable
references to swimming including the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Bible, Beowulf, the
Quran and others. In 1538, Nikolaus Wynmann, a Swiss educator of dialects,
composed the first book about swimming – The Swimmer or A Dialog on the Art
of Swimming.
Swimming rose as a competitive recreational movement during the 1830s in
England. In 1828, the first indoor pool, St George's Baths was opened to the
public. By 1837, the National Swimming Society was holding ordinary swimming
rivalries in six artificial pools, worked around London. The recreational movement
developed in prevalence, and by 1880, when the main national overseeing body,
the Amateur Swimming Association was shaped, there was at that point more
than 300 regional clubs in task over the country.
In 1844 two Native American members at a swimming game in London acquainted
the front crawl with a European group of onlookers. Sir John Arthur
Trudgen grabbed the hand-over stroke from some South American locals and
effectively introduced the new stroke in 1873, winning a nearby challenge in
England. His stroke is still viewed as the most dominant to utilise today.
Chief Matthew Webb was the first man to swim the English Channel (among
England and France), in 1875. Utilising the breaststroke system, he swam the
channel of 21.26 miles (34.21 km) in 21 hours and 45 minutes. His
accomplishment was not recreated or outperformed for the following 36 years,
until T.W. Burgess made the intersection in 1911.
Other European nations additionally formed swimming alliances; Germany in
1882, France in 1890 and Hungary in 1896. The main European amateur
swimming games were in 1889 in Vienna. The world's first ladies' swimming title
was held in Scotland in 1892.
Men's swimming turned out to be a piece of the Olympic Games in 1896 in
Athens. In 1902, the Australian Richmond Cavill acquainted free-form with the
Western world. In 1908, the world swimming affiliation, Fédération Internationale
de Natation (FINA), was framed. Ladies' swimming was brought into the Olympics
in 1912; the principal global swim meet for ladies outside the Olympics was the
1922 Women's Olympiad. The butterfly was created during the 1930s and was at
first a variation of breaststroke until it was acknowledged as a different style in
1952.
Rules of swimming per category
THE FOUR MAIN CATEGORIES IN SWIMMING:

FREESTYLE
BACKSTROKE
BREASTSTROKE
BUTTERFLY

FREESTYLE:

 The swimmer may swim any style, except that in individual medley or
medley relay events, freestyle means any style other than backstroke,
breaststroke or butterfly.
 Some part of the swimmer must touch the wall upon completion of each
length and at the finish.
 Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout
the race, except it shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely
submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15metres after

the start and each turn.

BACKSTROKE:

 At the signal for starting and after turning the swimmer shall push off and
swim upon his/her back throughout the race except when executing a turn.
The normal position on the back can include a roll movement of the body up
to, but not including 90 degrees from horizontal.
 Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout
the race. It is permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged
during the turn, at the finish and for a distance of not more than 15 metres
after the start and each turn. However, recent developments and trends,
 swimmers and coaches have developed a “Fish Action” (Fly kick on a
swimmers side!) same distance applies and passing through 90°! (This
would be deemed as swimming on their front and thus not backstroke)
 Upon the finish of the race the swimmer must touch the wall while on the

back.

BREASTSTROKE:

 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn,
the body shall be kept on the breast. It is not permitted to roll onto the back
at any time.

 All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal
plane without alternating movement.
 After the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke
completely back to the legs. The head must break the surface of the water
before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke. A single
downward dolphin kick followed by a breaststroke kick is permitted while
wholly submerged.
 The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. A
scissors, flutter or downward kick is not permitted except breaking the
surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward
dolphin kick.
 At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both
hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water level.

BUTTERFLY:

 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and each turn, the
body shall be kept on the breast.
  Under water kicking on the side is allowed. It is not permitted to roll onto
the back at any time.
 Both arms shall be brought forward together over the water and brought
backward simultaneously throughout the race.
 All up and down movements of the legs must be simultaneous. The legs or
the feet need to be on the same level, but they shall not alternate in relation
to each other. A breaststroke kicking is not permitted.
 At the start and turns, a swimmer is permitted one or more leg kicks and one
arm pull under the water, which must bring him/her to the surface. It shall be
permissible for a swimmer to be completely submerged for a distance of not

more than 15 metres after the start and each turn.

DIFFERENT SWIMMING STROKES

Freestyle/Front Crawl
The front crawl is likely the first
swimming stroke you think of when
you picture swimming. It is commonly
called the freestyle stroke as most
swimmers choose to use this stroke in
freestyle events as it is the fastest.
To execute the front crawl, you lie on
your stomach with your body parallel
to the water. Propel yourself forward
with alternating arm movements in a
sort of windmill motion that starts by pushing underwater and recovers above
water. Your legs should propel you with a flutter kick, which is performed with
pointed feet as your legs move up and down in alternation. Do not bend your legs
at the knee.
Time your breathing to match your swimming strokes by turning your head to the
side while your arm is in the recovery (above water) position. Do not turn your
head too far and face upward or you will actually sink into the water rather than
remain above it.

Backstroke
The backstroke requires similar
movements to the front crawl, but it is
done, as the name suggests, on your
back. Doctors often recommend this stroke to individuals with back problems as it
provides a great back workout.
To perform the backstroke, while floating on your back, alternate your arms with a
windmill-like motion to propel yourself backwards. Like the front crawl, your arms
should start the circular motion by pushing underwater and recovering above
water. Your legs should engage in a flutter kick. Your face should be above the
surface as you look straight up.
Keep your body as straight as possible, with a slight decline in the lower body to
keep your legs underwater. Don’t allow your hips to get too low or your body to
bend too much or it will slow you down. Keep your legs close together and use the
motion from your hips to get a more powerful kick.
Your face will remain out of the water, but you will still want to be cognizant of
your breathing rhythm. Again, match your breaths to your strokes.

Breaststroke
The breaststroke is the slowest
competitive swimming stroke, and it is
the most commonly learned stroke. It’s
often taught to beginner swimmers
because it does not require putting your
head underwater. However, in
competitive swimming, swimmers do
submerge their head and breathe at
designated points in the stroke.
This stroke is performed with your
stomach facing down. Your arms move simultaneously beneath the surface of the
water in a half circular movement in front of your body. Your legs perform the
whip kick at the same time. The whip kick is executed by bringing your legs from
straight behind you close to your body by bending both at your knees and at your
hips. Your legs then move outward and off to the side before extending and
coming back together. This swimming technique is often compared to a frog’s
movement.
Time each arm stroke to match your leg movements for more effective propulsion
by resting the arms while the legs kick, and straightening the legs while the arms
push you forward. This way, there is always something working to continue
forward movement.

Butterfly
The butterfly is an advanced
swimming stroke that provides an
excellent workout. It can be more
difficult and tiring to learn, but it is
also a lot of fun. It is the second
fastest competitive stroke, and the
favorite stroke of Olympic legend
Michael Phelps.
To perform the butterfly stroke, start
horizontal with your stomach facing
the bottom of the pool. Bring your
arms simultaneously over your head and push them into the water to propel you
forward and bring them up out of the water again to repeat. As you move your
arms into the water, you will push your head and shoulders above the surface of
the water.
Your legs will perform a dolphin kick, which requires your legs to stay together
and straight as you kick them similarly to how a dolphin’s lower body and tail
moves. Move your body in a fluid wave-like motion.
The best time to take a breath will be when your arms are just starting to come out
of the water, just before you begin the next forward thrust. Lift your head straight
in front of you during this move and do not turn your head to the side.

Sidestroke
This is an older swimming style that is
not typically used in swim
competitions, but is still an important
stroke to learn for safety reasons. It is
most commonly used by
lifeguards when they rescue someone,
as this stroke most easily allows you
to pull something along with you. It
involves swimming on your side, as
the name implies, propelling yourself
forward with a scissor kick and
alternating arm movements. It’s one of
the easier strokes to learn, and can be a nice break from the more popular swim
strokes if you’re looking to add more variety into your routine.
One way to remember the sidestroke is by comparing it to apple picking. Your first
arm will stretch above your head and pick an apple, then your hands will meet in
front of your chest. The first arm hands the apple to the second arm (the side of the
body that is on top and partly out of the water). The second arm will reach out to
toss the apple behind you as the first arm reaches above your head for another
apple.

Elementary Backstroke
This is a variation from the typical
backstroke you see. It uses a reversed
breaststroke kick while your arms
move in sync beneath the water. It’s
called “elementary” because of its
simple technique that’s easy to pick
up, and is often one of the first swim
strokes taught to new swimmers for
this reason.
This stroke is often taught to children
using fun nicknames for the parts of the movement. Bring your hands to your
armpits like a monkey, spread your arms like an airplane, then push them down to
your sides like a soldier.
Combat Side Stroke
This is a form of the sidestroke that all
US Navy SEALs have to learn.
Efficient and energy-saving, the
combat side stroke is a kind of a
combination of breaststroke, freestyle,
and, obviously, sidestroke. It reduces
the swimmer’s profile in the water,
making them less visible while
allowing them to swim with maximum
efficiency–two critical criteria for
combat operations that require
swimming on the surface. You will focus on balance, length, and rotation.

Trudgen
This stroke evolved from the
sidestroke and is named after the
English swimmer John Trudgen. You
swim mostly on your side, alternating
lifting each arm out of the water and
over your head. It uses a scissor kick
that only comes in every other stroke.
When your left arm is over your head,
you spread your legs apart to prepare
to kick, and then as the arm comes down you straighten your legs and snap them
together for the scissor kick. This stroke is particularly unique because your head
remains above the water for the entirety

BENEFITS OF SWIMMING
Swimming is a great workout because you need to move your whole body against
the resistance of the water.

Swimming is a good all-round activity because it:

keeps your heart rate up but takes some of the impact stress off your body
builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness
helps you maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs
tones muscles and builds strength
provides an all-over body workout, as nearly all of your muscles are used
during swimming
being a relaxing and peaceful form of exercise
alleviating stress
improving coordination, balance and posture
improving flexibility
providing good low-impact therapy for some injuries and conditions

Swimming has many other benefits including:

Full body workout. Swimming uses all the muscles in the body so whether
you swim a gentle breaststroke or hammer butterfly, you will get a full
body workout. Plus, exercising in water makes your body work harder so 30
minutes in a pool is worth 45 minutes of the same activity on land.
 Great for general wellbeing. Just 30 minutes of swimming three times
a week alongside a balanced, healthy diet and lifestyle is one of the best
ways to stay fit and healthy and maintain a positive mental outlook. Do it
with friends, and it’s even more fun!
De-stresses and relaxes. Whether it’s work stressing you out, the kids being
a nightmare, or just life in general, we all get times we just want to
SCREAM. Well, help is at hand. Swimming regularly can lower stress
levels, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve your sleep
patterns. Feeling the mental benefits of swimming takes just a light swim.
No lane pounding needed.
Burns those calories. Swimming is one of the most effective ways to burn
calories. A gentle swim can burn over 200 calories in just half an hour, more
than double that of walking. And a faster swim would see that chocolate
bar gone quicker than if you went running or cycling.
Lowers the risk of diseases. As well as being a great form of cardiovascular
exercise, swimming just 30 minutes a week can help to guard against heart
disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Supports the body. Water supports up to 90 per cent of the body’s weight.
So if you sprained an ankle at Monday night football or have a long term
injury or illness, swimming is a brilliant way to stay active.
Increases your energy levels. Inactivity and not ageing is often responsible
for people’s lack of energy. Just 30 minutes of swimming three times per
week can boost your energy levels through increased metabolic rate.
Exercising without the sweat. If sweating puts you off other forms of
exercise, fear not! As a swimmer, you’ll never feel sweaty no matter how
hard you work because the water around you is constantly cooling you
down.

DO YOU THINK SWIMMING IS AN ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILL?

Swimming is actually fun and has a lot of benefits. It helps us improve our
cardiovascular system in the most interactive way possible. I do beleive that this
activity should be essential and must be taught on various institution because of its
benefits. Also, it’s a very helpful skill knowing that every year individuals are
drown from the different regions of the world. This could help them survive from
such tragedy. They could even help someone who’s drowning because of this skill.
As someone who is a non-swimmer, it would really be wonderful to learn such an
important skill because i often feel envy on my friends when we’re at the pool or
beach. They get to explore the most exciting part of the sea and the most majestic
one while i wait near the shore. The touch of the water as you swim on them might
be the most relaxing thing on earth.