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{{short description|Self propulsion of a person through water}}
'''Swimming''' is the method by which ]s (or other animals) move themselves through ]. Swimming is a popular recreational activity, particularly in hot countries and in areas with natural watercourses. Swimming is also a competitive sport. There are many health benefits of swimming, yet basic swimming skills and safety precautions are needed to participate in water activities.
{{about|standard human swimming|competitive swimming|Swimming (sport)|animal swimming|Aquatic locomotion|other uses|Swimming (disambiguation)|and|Swimmer (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
] performing the ]]]


'''Swimming''' is the self-] of a person through ] or other liquid, such as saltwater or freshwater environments, usually for recreation, sport, exercise, or survival. Swimmers achieve locomotion by coordinating limb and body movements to achieve hydrodynamic thrust that results in directional motion. Newborns can instinctively hold their breath underwater and exhibit rudimentary swimming movements as part of a survival reflex. Swimming requires endurance, skill, and efficient techniques to maximize speed and minimize energy consumption.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Swimming behavior of the human infant|last1=McGraw|first1=Myrtle B|journal=The Journal of Pediatrics|volume=15|issue=4|year=1939|pages=485–490|doi=10.1016/s0022-3476(39)80003-8 }}</ref>
]


Swimming is a popular activity and competitive sport where certain techniques are deployed to move through water. It offers numerous health benefits, such as strengthened ] health, muscle strength, and increased flexibility. It is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
==Swimming Purposes==
Swimming and related water sports are done for a number of purposes. Often, these purposes can overlap, and a recreational swimmer for example may also swim for health benefits.


Swimming is consistently among the top public recreational activities,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EZrV1XazCnEC&q=swimming+participation+worldwide&pg=PA11|title=Worldwide Experiences and Trends in Sport for All|first1=Lamartine|last1=Pereira da Costa|first2=Ana|last2=Miragaya|publisher=Meyer & Meyer Verlag|year=2002|isbn=9781841260853}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/research/tp-adult-participation-sport-analysis.pdf|publisher=Department for Culture, Media and Sport|title=Adult participation in sport|date=August 2011|first1=Helen|last1=Jones|first2=Peter|last2=Millward|first3=Babtunde|last3=Buraimo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610060444/http://culture.gov.uk/images/research/tp-adult-participation-sport-analysis.pdf|archive-date=2012-06-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=]|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/swimming/7838072/Swimming-remains-Englands-most-popular-sport-despite-free-scheme-setback.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/swimming/7838072/Swimming-remains-Englands-most-popular-sport-despite-free-scheme-setback.html |archive-date=2022-01-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Swimming remains England's most popular sport despite free scheme setback|date=2010-06-18}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=USA Swimming|url=http://usaswimming.org/partners/file.pdf|title=America's Swim Team|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619104321/http://usaswimming.org/partners/file.pdf|archive-date=2010-06-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in some countries, ] are a compulsory part of the educational curriculum.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Aquamobile|url=http://aquamobileswim.com/swimming-lessons-educational-curriculum-across-world/|title=Swimming Lessons in Educational Curriculum Across the World|date=2015-04-04}}</ref> As a formalized sport, swimming is featured in various local, national, and international competitions, including every modern ].
===Recreational===


Swimming involves repeated motions known as ] to propel the body forward. While the ], also known as ], is widely regarded as the fastest of the four main strokes, other strokes are practiced for special purposes, such as training.
The most common reason for swimming is probably recreation, where the swimmer enters the water merely for enjoyment. Many ] are suitable for recreational swimming. Most recreational swimmers prefer a style that keeps their head out of the water and uses an underwater arm recovery, for example ], ], or ']'.


Swimming comes with certain risks, mainly because of the aquatic environment where it takes place. For instance, swimmers may find themselves incapacitated by ] and ], both potential causes of death by ]. Other dangers may arise from exposure to ] or hostile aquatic fauna. To minimize such eventualities, most facilities employ a ] to keep alert for any signs of distress.
]s are popular venues for recreational swimming, as are ]es, ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, and sometimes ]s.


Swimmers often wear specialized ], although depending on the area's culture, some swimmers may also swim ] or wear their day attire. In addition, a variety of equipment can be used to enhance the swimming experience or performance, including but not limited to the use of ], ]s, ], and ].
===Exercise===


==Science==
Often, swimming is used as a form of ]. Sometimes the swimming consists of swimming laps using a conventional stroke, such as the ]; other forms can include different forms of exercise performed in the water, such as ]. When swimming laps, there is often little apparent difference between exercise and competitive swimming, except for the absence of other competitors.
] prior to entering the pool in a U.S. military base, 2011.]]
Swimming relies on the nearly ] of the human body. On average, the body has a ] of 0.98 compared to water, which causes the body to float. However, buoyancy varies based on body composition, lung inflation, muscle and fat content, centre of gravity and the salinity of the water. Higher levels of body fat and saltier water both lower the relative density of the body and increase its buoyancy. Because they tend to have a lower centre of gravity and higher muscle content, human males find it more difficult to float or be buoyant. See also: ''].''


Since the human body is less dense than water, water can support the body's weight during swimming. As a result, swimming is "low-impact" compared to land activities such as running. The density and ] of water also create resistance for objects moving through the water. ]s use this resistance to create propulsion, but this same resistance also generates drag on the body.
===Competition===


] is important to stroke technique for swimming faster, and swimmers who want to swim faster or exhaust less try to reduce the drag of the body's motion through the water. To be more hydrodynamically effective, swimmers can either increase the power of their strokes or reduce water resistance. However, power must increase by a factor of three to achieve the same effect as reducing resistance.<ref name=Laughlin>{{cite book |first=Terry|last=Laughlin|title=Total Immersion|url=https://archive.org/details/totalimmersionre00laug|url-access=registration|year=1996|publisher=Fireside, New York|isbn=9780684818856}}</ref> Efficient swimming by reducing water resistance involves a horizontal water position, rolling the body to reduce the breadth of the body in the water, and extending the arms as far as possible to reduce wave resistance.<ref name=Laughlin/>
Competitive swimming is swimming with the goal to maximize performance, usually the speed of swimming. Competitive swimming became popular in the ], and is an event at the ]. The competitive swimming's governing body is ], and there are four swimming disciplines regulated by it, swum over different distances.


Just before plunging into the pool, swimmers may perform exercises such as ]. Squatting helps enhance a swimmer's start by warming up the thigh muscles.<ref>'''', Publisher: Human Kinetics, Year: 2010, {{ISBN|9781450409179}}, page: 147</ref>{{clarify|Why is this relevant or important?|date=December 2021}}
*] refers to "any style", and in competitive swimming places no restrictions on what action the competitors use, except during the freestyle portion of medley swimming. In practice, almost all freestyle events are swum using ]. Events are held at distances of 50&nbsp;m, 100&nbsp;m, 200&nbsp;m, 400&nbsp;m, 800&nbsp;m and 1500&nbsp;m.
*] events require that the swimmer's actions retain bilateral symmetry (the left side of the body has to do the same as the right). Events are held at distances of 50&nbsp;m, 100&nbsp;m, and 200&nbsp;m.
*], from which the butterfly stroke evolved, places the additional restriction that the swimmer's hands must be pushed forward together from the breast and that the elbows must remain under the water. It is the slowest stroke in competitive swimming. Events are held at distances of 50&nbsp;m, 100&nbsp;m, and 200&nbsp;m. This stroke, as well as butterfly requires great shoulder strength.
*] places no symmetry restrictions, but swimmers must lay on their back at all times except during turns to perform the stroke. Backstroke is performed, in essence, as an inversion of the crawl &mdash; competitors swing their arms back over their shoulder, alternately, and pull through under the water to provide motive power, with a flutter kick. Events are held at distances of 50&nbsp;m, 100&nbsp;m, and 200&nbsp;m.


==Infant swimming==
In addition to that there are a number of combination events in Competitive swimming.
{{main article|Infant swimming}}
Human babies demonstrate an innate swimming or ] from newborn until approximately ten months.<ref name="Bradycardic response">{{cite journal|last1=Goksor|first1=E.|last2=Rosengren|first2=L.|last3=Wennergren|first3=G.|title=Bradycardic response during submersion in infant swimming|journal=Acta Paediatrica|date=2002|volume=91|issue=3|pages=307–312|doi=10.1111/j.1651-2227.2002.tb01720.x|pmid=12022304|s2cid=22213714}}</ref> Other mammals also demonstrate this phenomenon (see ]). The diving response involves ], ], and peripheral ]; in other words, babies immersed in water spontaneously hold their breath, slow their heart rate, and reduce blood circulation to the extremities (fingers and toes).<ref name="Bradycardic response"/>
Because infants exhibit instinctual swimming behaviors, though formal training is recommended to reinforce these abilities.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}, classes for babies about six months old are offered in many locations. This helps build muscle memory and makes strong swimmers from a young age.


==Technique==
*Relay, where a number of swimmers swim sequentially. Events are held at distances of 4&times;50&nbsp;m freestyle (short 25 lane only), 4&times;100&nbsp;m freestyle and 4&times;200&nbsp;m freestyle.
{{see also|Swimming stroke}}
*], where one swimmer swims Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle in this order. Events are held at distances of 100&nbsp;m (short 25&nbsp;m lane only), 200&nbsp;m, and 400&nbsp;m.
]
*], where four swimmer swim Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle in this order. Events are held at distances of 4&times;50&nbsp;m medley (short 25 lane only) and 4&times;100&nbsp;m medley.
Swimming can be undertaken using a wide range of styles, known as 'strokes,' and which are used for different purposes or to distinguish between classes in competitive swimming. Using a defined stroke for propulsion through the water is unnecessary, and untrained swimmers may use a ']' of arm and leg movements, similar to how four-legged animals swim.


Four main strokes are used in competition and recreational swimming: the ], ], ], and ].
Full rules are on the of ].


In non-competitive swimming, there are some additional swimming strokes, including the ]. The sidestroke, toward the end of the 19th century, changed this pattern by raising one arm above the water first, then the other, and then each in turn. It is still used in lifesaving and recreational swimming.
Competitive swimming has traditionally been dominated by the ], but recently that dominance has been challenged by ], where swimming is a hugely popular recreational activity, and participant and spectator sport. The success of Australian swimmers like ] and ] is reminiscent of Australia's previous golden age of swimming in the ] and ], which saw the emergence of swimmers such as ] and ].


Other strokes exist for particular reasons, such as training, school lessons, and rescue, and it is often possible to change strokes to avoid using parts of the body, either to separate specific body parts, such as swimming with only arms or legs to exercise them harder, or for amputees or those affected by paralysis.
There are also a number of other Competitive swimming performances, for example a ] 5 kilometer open-water event, which became part of the Olympic program in 2000, or long distance swims across the ], or circumnavigating ]. The world record for the longest nonstop swim is held by ] for swimming 504km nonstop in ] in the ]. He also swam the Mississippi River in ] in 66+2days, a total of 3885km.


==History==
Swimming is also a crucial part of other sports, such as ], ], ] and ]. (''See ]'')
{{Main article|History of swimming}}
] conqueror ]'s troops swim across a river.]]


Swimming has been recorded since ], and the earliest records of swimming date back to ] ] from around 7,000 years ago. Written references date from 2000 BCE. Some earliest references include the ], the ], the ], the ] (Ezekiel 47:5, Acts 27:42, Isaiah 25:11), ], and other sagas.
===Rescue===


In 450 BC, ] described a failed seaborne expedition of ] with the words "…those who could not swim perished from that cause, others from the cold".<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Tipton |first1=M. J. |last2=Collier |first2=N. |last3=Massey |first3=H. |last4=Corbett |first4=J. |last5=Harper |first5=M. |date=November 2017 |title=Cold water immersion: kill or cure? |url=https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/files/7780408/Cold_water_immersion_kill_or_cure.pdf |journal=Experimental Physiology |language=en |volume=102 |issue=11 |pages=1335–1355 |doi=10.1113/EP086283 |pmid=28833689 |issn=0958-0670}}</ref>
Swimming is also used for rescue to avoid ]. Most of the time this will be self rescue, where a person involuntarily enters the water and swims to stay afloat or to reach safety.


The coastal tribes living in the volatile{{clarify|reason=What does "volatile" mean here?|date=August 2021}} ] were known as excellent swimmers by the ]. Men and horses of the ] could cross the ] without losing formation, according to ]. ] describes one surprise tactic employed by ] against the ] at the ]:<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/60*.html | title=Cassius Dio — Book 60}}</ref>
In addition to self rescue, swimming is also used to rescue other swimmers in distress. There are a number of specialized swimming styles specially for the purpose of rescuing swimmers in distress (''see ]''). Such techniques are studied for example by ], or members of the ]. The training of these techniques also evolved into competitions, as for example ].


<blockquote>The thought that Romans would not be able to cross it without a bridge, and consequently ] in rather careless fashion on the opposite bank; but he sent across a detachment of , who were accustomed to swim easily in full armour across the most turbulent streams. ... Thence the Britons retired to the river Thames at a point near where it empties into the ocean and at flood-tide forms a lake. This they easily crossed because they knew where the firm ground and the easy passages in this region were to be found, but the Romans in attempting to follow them were not so successful. However, the swam across again and some others got over by a bridge a little way up-stream, after which they assailed the barbarians from several sides at once and cut down many of them.</blockquote>
===Others===


The ], a compendium of Jewish law written compiled c. 500 CE, requires fathers to teach their son how to swim.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kiddushin 29a |url=https://www.sefaria.org.il/Kiddushin.29a?lang=he |website=www.sefaria.org}}</ref>
A number of people enter the water and swim as part of their work. For example, Abalone divers or ] divers swim and dive to obtain an economic benefit, as do ].


In 1538, Nikolaus Wynmann, a Swiss–German professor of languages, wrote the earliest known complete book about swimming, ''Colymbetes, sive de arte natandi dialogus et festivus et iucundus lectu'' (''The Swimmer, or A Dialogue on the Art of Swimming and Joyful and Pleasant to Read'').<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Yolanda|last1=Escalante|first2=Jose M.|last2=Saavedra|title=Swimming and Aquatic Activities: State of the Art|journal=Journal of Human Kinetics|date=30 May 2012|issn=1640-5544|pages=5–7|volume=32|issue=2012|pmid=23487594|pmc=3590867|doi=10.2478/v10078-012-0018-4}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
Swimming is also done to advance the sciences. Naturally, swimming is studied to improve the swimming performances of competitive swimmers. But swimming and diving is also often used in ] to observe plants and animals in their natural habitat. Other sciences may also use swimming. ] for example swam with ] as part of his studies of ].


] in Europe started around 1800, mostly using the breaststroke, which started as the current breaststroke arms and the legs of the butterfly stroke. In 1873, John Arthur Trudgen introduced the ] to Western swimming competitions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Swimming {{!}} Ramona Aquatics |url=http://ramonaaquatics.net/history-of-swimming/ |access-date=2017-02-25 |website=ramonaaquatics.net |language=en-US |archive-date=2019-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405205206/https://ramonaaquatics.net/history-of-swimming/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Often, swimming is used merely as a way to move between locations. Nowadays, ] and ] are used most of the time, but there are occasions where swimming is used to move between locations, for example for crossing ] or accessing ]. Cargo may be carried on the swimmer or pulled, possibly on a flotation device, during the swim. Military troops use swimming to cross waters.


The butterfly was developed in the 1930s and was considered a variant of the breaststroke until it was accepted as a separate style in 1953.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Taormina |first=Sheila |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4qGIBwAAQBAJ&q=butterfly+stroke+developed+in+the+1930s+considered+a+variant+of+the+breaststroke+until+1952&pg=PT87 |title=Swim Speed Strokes for Swimmers and Triathletes: Master Freestyle, Butterfly, Breaststroke and Backstroke for Your Fastest Swimming |date=2014-10-01 |publisher=VeloPress |isbn=9781937716608 |language=en}}</ref>
Swimming also has ] purposes besides the mere need to cross waters. A swimmer in the water or under the water can be difficult to detect, especially at night. Military swimming is usually done by ], as for example ]. Swimming is used to approach a location, gather intelligence, sabotage, or combat, and to depart a location. This may also include airborne insertion into water or leaving a submerged ] through a hatch or the torpedo tubes. Special equipment and techniques are also used to engage hostiles in and under water.


==Purpose==
Swimming is also done for health purposes, as for example rehabilitation after injuries.
There are many reasons why people swim, from a recreational pursuit to swimming as a necessary part of a job or other activity. Swimming may also be used to rehabilitate injuries, especially various cardiovascular and muscle injuries. Professional opportunities in swimming range from competitive sports to coaching, lifeguarding, and working in aquatic therapy. Some may be gifted and choose to compete professionally and go on to claim fame.


==Technique== ===Recreation===
]
Many swimmers swim for recreation, with swimming consistently ranking as one of the physical activities people are most likely to participate in. Recreational swimming can also be used for exercise, relaxation, or rehabilitation.<ref>{{cite book|last=Katz|first=Jane|title=Your Water Workout|publisher=Broadway Books|year=2003|edition=First|isbn=978-0-7679-1482-6}}</ref> The support of the water and the reduction in impact make swimming accessible for people unable to undertake activities such as running. Swimming is one of the most relaxing activities, and water is known to calm us and help reduce stress.


===Health===
The human body, being composed mostly of water, has nearly the same ] as water. Thus, staying afloat requires only a slight propelling of water downward relative to the body, and transverse motion only a slight propelling of water in a direction opposite to the direction of motion, due to generally low hydrodynamic ]. This propelling is typically accomplished by cupping the hands and using them as ]s, and by kicking the legs to push water away from the body.
], California, February 14, 2012. Wounded Warriors, veterans, and allies competed in the second annual trials, which included swimming.]]
Swimming is primarily a ]<ref>{{cite book |last= Cooper |first= Kenneth H. |title= Aerobics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_k-TTEFQTkkC |edition= revised, reissue |year= 1983 |orig-year= 1968 |publisher= ] |isbn= 978-0553274479}}</ref> due to the long exercise time, requiring a constant oxygen supply, except for short sprints where the muscles work anaerobically. Furthermore, swimming can help tone and strengthen muscles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/swimming-health-benefits|title=Swimming - health benefits|last=Services|first=Department of Health & Human|access-date=2018-09-11|language=en}}</ref> Regular swimming can help in weight management and contribute to maintaining a healthy body weight. (Robinson 2022) Swimming allows sufferers of ] to exercise affected joints without worsening their symptoms. Swimming is often recommended for individuals with joint conditions or injuries, as the ] of water reduces stress on the joints. However, swimmers with arthritis may wish to avoid swimming breaststroke, as improper technique can exacerbate arthritic knee pain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yourswimlog.com/how-to-fix-and-prevent-breaststrokers-knee/|title=How to Fix and Prevent Breaststroker's Knee|date=2016-09-03|website=YourSwimLog.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref> As with most aerobic exercise, swimming reduces the harmful effects of stress. Swimming also improves health for people with cardiovascular problems and chronic illnesses. It is proven to impact the mental health of pregnant women and mothers positively. Swimming can even improve mood.<ref>{{Cite web|title = CDC - Health Benefits of Water-based Exercise - Healthy Swimming & Recreational Water - Healthy Water|url = https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/health_benefits_water_exercise.html|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-10-01}}</ref> Although many forms of physical activity have been shown to improve ] and health, this is where swimming has its downfalls. Due to the low-impact nature of the sport, studies have demonstrated that bone mass acquisition will be negatively impacted, which could be an issue for adolescent athletes in particular.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Seabra|first1=André|last2=Fernandes|first2=Ricardo J.|last3=Marques|first3=Elisa|last4=Moura|first4=Miguel|last5=Ubago-Guisado|first5=Esther|last6=Hernando|first6=Enrique|last7=Gallardo|first7=Leonor|date=2017-12-28|title=Impact of Futsal and Swimming Participation on Bone Health in Young Athletes|url=https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/hukin/60/1/article-p85.xml|journal=Journal of Human Kinetics|language=en|volume=60|issue=1|pages=85–91|doi=10.1515/hukin-2017-0092|pmid=29339988|pmc=5765788|doi-access=free|archive-date=2020-11-28|access-date=2021-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128195911/https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/hukin/60/1/article-p85.xml|url-status=dead}}</ref>


====Disabled swimmers====
With practice, technique can convert a slow or average swimmer to at least a moderately fast swimmer. Since speed converts directly into distance, the same techniques that improve speed also aid one to move farther with the same effort.
Since 2010, the ] has required that ]s in the United States be accessible to disabled swimmers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-05-24|title=ADA Requirements: Accessible Pools Means of Entry and Exit|url=https://www.ada.gov/pools_2010.htm|access-date=2021-11-14|website=www.ada.gov}}</ref>


====Elderly swimmers====
The torso and the legs should be kept as much as possible parallel to the surface of the water. Drooped legs or a slanted torso dramatically increase drag.
"Water-based exercise can benefit older adults by improving quality of life and decreasing disability. It also improves or maintains the bone health of post-menopausal women."<ref>{{cite web|title=Health Benefits of Water-based Exercise|url=https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/health_benefits_water_exercise.html|website=CDC.gov|publisher=United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=15 July 2015}}</ref>
Swimming is an ideal workout for the elderly, as it is a low-impact sport with very little risk of injury. Exercise in the water works out all muscle groups, helping with conditions such as muscular dystrophy which is common in seniors. It is also a common way to relieve pain from arthritis.


===Sport===
Try to have a pointed hand above the head, pointed forward as much as possible. This increases the average length at the water-line, substantially increasing speed. This is an effect long used by boat designers, and unconsciously used by "naturally good swimmers."
{{Main article|Swimming (sport)}}
] in ]]]
Swimming as a sport predominantly involves participants competing to be the fastest over a given distance in a certain period of time. Competitors swim different distances in different levels of competition. For example, swimming has been an ] since 1896, and the current program includes events from 50 m to 1500 m in length, across all four main strokes and medley. During the season competitive swimmers typically train multiple times per day and week to increase endurance, strength, and preserve fitness. Furthermore when the cycle of work is completed swimmers go through a stage called taper where intensity is reduced in preparation for competition season. During taper, focus is on power and water feel.


The sport is governed internationally by ], formerly known as FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) before it adopted its current name in December 2022. World Aquatics recognizes competitions of the 25 meter and 50 meter pools for International Competitions. In the United States, a pool of 25 yards in length is commonly used for competition, especially in the College Level.
Try to maximize the time spent on the side because the torso is smaller front-to-back than side-to-side on most swimmers. This reduces the frontal cross-section, reducing drag further, and also increasing the ratio between the bodies water-line-length and width. Similar improvements are possible by orienting the narrowest direction of head, hands, legs and arms into the water. The torso is by far the most critical.


Other swimming and water-related sporting disciplines include ], ], ], ], ], and the ].
The motion of the hand, arm, and leg from back to the front should be in the air as much as possible, and in the water, oriented as perfectly as possible, because the returning appendage has to move at least twice as fast as the swimmer, and in the water generates eight times the drag (drag increases with the cube of the speed) of an equal amount of torso frontal area.


===Safety===
The basic "catch" of the water is not nearly as critical as the above items. Most swimmers simply grab water with their hand flat, or the fingers slightly spread, and then draw it smoothly down their body.
{{Main article|Drowning}}
To prioritize safety when swimming, swimmers can ensure that there are certified lifeguards present, swimming in designated areas, and being aware of potential hazards such as currents and underwater obstacles.{{Cn|date=October 2024}}


As a popular leisure activity done all over the world, one of the primary risks of swimming is ]. Drowning may occur from a variety of factors, from swimming fatigue to simply inexperience in the water. From 2005 to 2014, an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings occurred in the United States, approximating 10 deaths a day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html|title=Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts &#124; Home and Recreational Safety &#124; CDC Injury Center|date=October 7, 2020|website=www.cdc.gov}}</ref>
Note that none of the above techniques require improved strength. With strength training, the hands and feet can be extended further into the water, gaining more propulsion. For beginners, increased strength brings only small improvements if the above strategies (minimise drag and lengthen water-line) are not optimal.


To minimize the risk and prevent potential drownings from occurring, ] are often employed to supervise swimming locations such as public pools, waterparks, lakes and beaches. Different lifeguards receive different training depending on the sites that they are employed at; i.e. a waterfront lifeguard receives more rigorous training than a poolside lifeguard. Well-known aquatic training services include the and the ], which specialize in training lifeguards in North America.
A number of ] have been developed based on the implementation of some or all of these principles.


Learning basic water safety skills, such as swimming with a buddy and knowing how to respond to emergencies, is essential for swimmers of all levels.
==Clothing==


===Occupation===
The desire or cultural demand of ] together with the awkwardness or unsuitability of conventional ] in the water led to the development of the ] (and in ] times, the ]).
Some occupations require workers to swim, such as ] and ] diving, and ].


Swimming is used to rescue people in the water who are in distress, including exhausted swimmers, non-swimmers who have accidentally entered the water, and others who have come to harm on the water. ]s or volunteer ] are deployed at many pools and beaches worldwide to fulfil this purpose, and they, as well as ]s, may use specific ] for rescue purposes.
Men's swimsuits tend to be trunks, surf or board shorts, competition briefs, cut-offs, or jeans. The famous 'top and levis' &mdash; a neoprene jacket and shrink-to-fit Levis remains one of the best diveskins, offering protection from overexposure to the sun, stings, and abrasion. Levis 501, 505 and 512 Red Tab have a hydrodynamic fit for swimming and diving. Levis have been featured in a variety of under-water commercials: The Mermaid, The Levis Swimmer, The French Dictionary, and numerous beach commercials in the 1990's. Advertised as 'your second skin', Levis are considered by intrepid swimmers and divers to be an extension of their aquatic body, and became popular starting in the 1960's with the famous 'white levis' worn by surfers.


Swimming is also used in ] to observe plants and animals in their natural habitat. Other sciences use swimming; for example, ] swam with geese as part of his studies of ].
Women's swimsuits are generally either one-piece swimsuits or ]s. Also there is the ], in case the coverage of the breasts is neither required nor desired. However, special swimsuits for competitive swimming, designed to reduce skin drag, can resemble unitards.


Swimming also has military purposes. Military swimming is usually done by special operation forces, such as ] and ]. Swimming is used to approach a location, gather intelligence, engage in sabotage or combat, and subsequently depart. This may also include airborne insertion into water or exiting a submarine while it is submerged. Due to regular exposure to large bodies of water, all recruits in the ], ], and ] are required to complete basic swimming or water survival training.
] swimming is done:
*at ] areas
**in ], all beaches are clothing-optional unless marked otherwise
*during nudist hours in some ]s
*at (usually small) swimming pools in ]s
*without being formally allowed, at quiet places and hours; also called ''skinny dipping''
*at private swimming pools and beaches, not visible for outsiders


Swimming is also a professional sport. Companies sponsor swimmers who have the skills to compete at the international level. Many swimmers compete competitively to represent their home countries in the ]. Professional swimmers may also earn a living as entertainers, performing in ]s.
==Swimming and health==


=== Locomotion ===
Swimming is a good form of ]. Because the ] of the human body is approximately similar to ], the body is supported by the water and less stress is therefore placed on joints and bones. Furthermore, the ] against movement depends heavily on the speed of the movement, allowing the fine tuning of the exercise according to ones ability. Therefore, swimming is frequently used as an exercise in rehabilitation after injuries or for the ].
Locomotion by swimming over brief distances is frequent when alternatives are precluded. There have been cases of political refugees swimming in the Baltic Sea<ref>{{cite web |title=Top athlete escaped the GDR using his aquatic talents |url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4862742,00.html |publisher=Dw-world.de}}</ref> and of people jumping in the water and swimming ashore from vessels not intended to reach land where they planned to go.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chronology of Albanian Immigration to Italy |url=http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/italians/resources/Amiciprize/1998/Chronology.html |publisher=Ccat.sas.upenn.edu}}</ref>


==Risks==
Swimming exercises almost all ]s in the body. Usually, the ]s and upper body are exercised more than the ]s, as most forward motion is generated by the arms. In competitive swimming, excessive leg muscles can be seen as a disadvantage as they consume more oxygen, which would be needed for the muscles of the arms. However, this depends very much on the swimming style. While ] generates significant movement with the legs, ] propels the body mainly with the arms.
{{see also|Swimming injuries}}
] Beach.]]
] at a summer cottage in ]]]


There are many risks associated with voluntary or involuntary human presence in water, which may result in death directly or through ]. Swimming is both the goal of much voluntary presence and the prime means of regaining land in accidental situations.
Swimming is an ] due to the relatively long exercise times, requiring a constant ] supply to the muscles, except for short sprints where the muscles work ]. As with most aerobic exercise it is believed to reduce the harmful effects of ]. While aerobic exercises usually burn fat and help with losing weight, this effect is limited in swimming, even though being in cold water burns more ]s to maintain body temperature. The reason while swimming does not significantly reduce weight is still poorly understood, but seem to be related to the better heat conduction of water. A number of reasons are suspected.
*First, water cools the body much faster than air, and most researchers believe that subsequently the body aims to maintain a layer of fat under the ] for ].
*Secondly, it is believed that ] decreases as your body temperature increases, as for example during exercise. However, during swimming the body is cooled down almost instantly as the surrounding water is usually cooler than the body temperature, and some researchers believe that this may actually increase the appetite. This assumption is not yet proven by research.
*Finally, some researchers also believe that the ] of the body increases at higher body temperature, burning more calories. Again, during swimming the body is cooled down by the surrounding water, reducing the metabolism, and subsequently the number of calories burnt. This assumption is also not yet proven by research.


Most recorded water deaths fall into these categories:
Swimming is considered a sport with a low risk of injury. Nevertheless there are some health risks with swimming. Most lethal risks in swimming are due to the inability to swim. It is recommended to swim in an area supervised by ]s and to paying attention to the water conditions. Possible health risks range from lethal to minor inconveniences. Below is a list of these risks, ranging from potentially lethal to minor temporary inconveniences.
* ] occurs when an inexperienced swimmer or a nonswimmer becomes mentally overwhelmed by the circumstances of their immersion, leading to sinking and drowning. Occasionally, panic kills through ], even in shallow water.
* ] can make a person unable to sustain efforts to swim or tread water, often leading to death through drowning. An adult with fully developed and extended lungs has generally positive or at least neutral ], and can float with modest effort when calm and in still water. A small child has negative buoyancy and must make a sustained effort to avoid sinking rapidly.
* ], in which a person loses critical core temperature, can lead to unconsciousness or heart failure.
* ] from prolonged exposure to ] salt water—or, less frequently, ] where inhaled salt water creates foam in the lungs that restricts breathing—can cause loss of physical control or kill directly without actual drowning. Hypothermia and dehydration also kill directly, without causing drowning, even when the person wears a ].
* ] in a fast moving flood or river water can kill a swimmer outright, or lead to their drowning.


Adverse effects of swimming can include:
* ] can cause injury or ].
* ], an abnormal bony overgrowth narrowing the ear canal due to frequent, long-term splashing or filling of cold water into the ear canal, also known as ]
** Drowning due to adverse water conditions which may force the body under water or force water into the body.
* Infection from water-borne bacteria, viruses, or parasites
** Drowning due to negative ], for example due to being attached to items heavier than water, e.g. medieval ] or a concrete block around the feet, or being trapped in an item heavier than water, e.g. a sinking ship.
* Chlorine inhalation (in swimming pools)
** Drowning due to outside influence, as for example being pushed under water by another person by accident or intentionally.
* Heart attacks while swimming (the primary cause of sudden death among ] participants, occurring at the rate of 1 to 2 per 100,000 participations.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=185622|title=Sudden Death During the Triathlon|author=Kevin M. Harris, MD|journal=JAMA|year=2010|volume=303|issue=13|pages=1255–1257|doi=10.1001/jama.2010.368|pmid=20371783|display-authors=etal|url-access=subscription}}</ref>)
** Drowning can also be caused by the inability to swim due to exhaustion or unconsciousness or a combination thereof. Besides other health risks listed below this may be due to effects unrelated to swimming as for example ] and other ].
* Adverse encounters with aquatic life:
* Risks due to the effect of water on the human body.
** Stings from ], jellyfish, fish, ]s, and some species of ]
** Secondary drowning, where inhaled salt water in the ]s after a near drowning starts to create a foam in the lungs that restricts breathing.
** Puncture wounds caused by crabs, lobsters, ]s, ]s, ], ], ], and debris
** Thermal shock after jumping into water can cause the heart to stop.
** Hemorrhaging bites from fish, marine mammals, and ]s, occasionally resulting from ]
** Spending time in the water can give a wrinkled skin on the fingers, palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet. This disappears quickly without any negative effect.
** Venomous bites from ]s and certain species of octopus
** Injuries may heal slower if submerged in water.
** Electrocution or mild shock from ] and ]
* Risks due to chemicals in the water.
** In ] swimming pools the ] may burn in the eyes. This stops shortly after leaving the water. Other disinfection techniques using, for example, ] can avoid this effect.
** Breathing small quantities of ] from the water surface during swimming repeatedly for long periods of time, as for example in the case of competitive swimmers, can face adverse effects on the lungs.
** ] also has a negative cosmetic effect on ] after repeated long exposure.
* Risks due to ], ] and ]es in the water. Water is an excellent environment for many bacteria, which may affect humans. The risk and severity of infection vary with the ]. A selection of more common infections related to swimming are:
** Swimming and showering can cause ] (boat bug). The easiest way to avoid this is drying the space between the ] after swimming.
** Swimming can cause ear infections in the ear canal (]).
** Cases of ] have been transmitted by improperly sterilized showers after swimming. Good swimming facilities heat the shower water to 60&deg;C (140&deg;F) once per week during closing time to disinfect the water system.
** There is no known case of transmission of ] through the water, nor is there a known case of ] due to ] transported through the water while swimming.
* Risks due to physical activity in the water specific to swimming.
** Competitive swimmers may have a health risk due to overuse. ] swimmers for example may develop some ] after long years of training, ] swimmers may develop knee pain, and front crawl and backstroke swimmers may develop shoulder pain.
** Long term swimmers may occasionally get some abnormal growth in the ] due to the frequent water splashing of water in the ear canal.
** Shallow water blackout is a condition where holding the breath causes a sudden unconsciousness due to oxygen starvation (]).
** Exhaustion due to long swims or bad physical shape can cause ].
* Risks due to water and weather conditions.
** An outdoor swimmer can be hit by ] during a ]. Lightning will usually hit the highest point available, as for example the head of a swimmer on a flat water surface.
** Strong ]s can cause ]s and can blow a swimmer away from land.
** ] due to cold water can cause rapid exhaustion and unconsciousness depending on the water temperature and the body conditions.
** ], including ]s and ]s can cause exhaustion and can move a swimmer away from safety or pull swimmers under water.
** Due to the reflections in the water, the effect of the sun is more severe than on land, causing ]. Furthermore, swimming is usually done wile exposing most of the body to sunlight, especially some areas usually covered (around the rims of the bathing suit) or in the shade (the back of the knees). In the long term this may increase the risk of ] and decrease the aesthetics of the ].
* Risks due to other objects in the water.
** A collision with another swimmer or other object as for example the wall of a pool, rocks, and boats, especially the propellers thereof, may result in injuries. Severe injuries are possible after hitting an object while diving into the water. Injuries can also be caused by stepping on sharp objects, e.g. broken glass.
** Dangerous marine life can attack swimmers in self defense or for prey, often in combination with a ].
*** Marine life that sting, e.g. ] and some ]s.
*** Marine life that pierce, e.g. ]s.
*** Marine life that bites, e.g. ] and other ], ]s, or ] and ]s.


Around any pool area, safety equipment is often important, and is a zoning requirement for most residential pools in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dos.ny.gov/DCEA/pools.htm |title=Division of Code Enforcement and Administration |publisher=Dos.ny.gov |date=2006-12-14 |access-date=2014-04-13 |archive-date=2021-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423001634/https://www.dos.ny.gov/dcea/pools.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Supervision by personnel trained in rescue techniques is required at most competitive swimming meets and public pools.
==History==
''Main article: ]''


==Lessons==
Swimming has been known since prehistoric times. Drawings from the ] were found in "the ] of swimmers" near Wadi Sora (or Sura) in the southwestern part of ]. Written references date back up to ], including ], the ], the ], the ] (Ezekiel 47:5, Acts 27:42, Isaiah 25:11), ], and other sagas. In ] Nicolas Wynman, ] professor of languages, wrote the first swimming ] "Colymbetes". Competitive swimming in ] started around ], mostly using ]. The ], then called the ''trudgen'' was introduced in ] by John Arthur Trudgen, copying it from ].
] flotation aid being used]]


{{Main article|Swimming lessons}}
Swimming was part of the first modern ] in ] in ]. In ] the ''trudgen'' was improved by Richard Cavill, using the flutter kick. In ], the world swimming association ] was formed. ] was first a variant of ], until it was accepted as a separate style in ].

Traditionally, children were considered not able to swim independently until 4 years of age,<ref>{{cite journal
|author = Injury Prevention Committee
|title = Swimming lessons for infants and toddlers
|journal = Paediatrics & Child Health
|year = 2003
|volume = 8
|issue = 2
|pages = 113–114
|url = http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/IP/IP03-01.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060712031306/http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/IP/IP03-01.htm
|archive-date = 2006-07-12
|doi = 10.1093/pch/8.2.113
|pmid = 20019931
|pmc = 2791436
}}</ref>
although now ] lessons are recommended to prevent drowning.<ref>{{cite web|title=Drowning Happens Quickly– Learn How to Reduce Your Risk|url=https://www.cdc.gov/features/drowningprevention/index.html#two|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=18 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820011522/http://www.cdc.gov/features/drowningprevention/index.html#two|archive-date=20 August 2014}}</ref>

In Sweden, Denmark, Norway, ] and Finland, the ] for the fifth grade (fourth grade in Estonia) states that all children should learn to swim as well as how to handle emergencies near water. Most commonly, children are expected to be able to swim {{convert|200|m}}—of which at least {{convert|50|m}} on their back – after first falling into deep water and getting their head under water. Even though about 95 percent of Swedish school children know how to swim, drowning remains the third most common cause of death among children.{{cn|date=June 2017}}

In both the Netherlands and Belgium swimming lessons under school time (''schoolzwemmen'', school swimming) are supported by the government. Most schools provide swimming lessons. There is a long tradition of swimming lessons in the Netherlands and Belgium, the Dutch translation for the breaststroke swimming style is even ''schoolslag'' (schoolstroke). In France, swimming is a compulsory part of the curriculum for primary schools. Children usually spend one semester per year learning swimming during CP/CE1/CE2/CM1 (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade).

In many places, swimming lessons are provided by local swimming pools, both those run by the local authority and by private leisure companies. Many schools also include swimming lessons into their Physical Education ], provided either in the schools' own pool or in the nearest public pool.

In the UK, the "Top-ups scheme" calls for school children who cannot swim by the age of 11 to receive intensive daily lessons. Children who have not reached Great Britain's National Curriculum standard of swimming 25 meters by the time they leave primary school receive a half-hour lesson every day for two weeks during term-time.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/06/14/nswim14.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/06/14/ixuknews.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011223735/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/06/14/nswim14.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/06/14/ixuknews.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=2007-10-11 | title=Children unable to swim at 11 are given top-up lessons | work=The Daily Telegraph | date=2006-06-14 | access-date=2006-07-12 | location=London | first=Catriona | last=Davies}}</ref>

In Canada and Mexico there has been a call to include swimming in public school curriculum.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20050718/swim_in_school_050718?s_name=&noUS95ads | title=Federal minister calls for school swim lessons | publisher=CTV | date=2005-07-18 | access-date=2006-06-28 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412080641/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20050718/swim_in_school_050718?s_name= | archive-date=2009-04-12 }}</ref>

In the United States there is the Infant Swimming Resource (ISR)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infantswim.com/lessons/isr-lessons.html |title=Infant Swimming Resource site |publisher=Infantswim.com |access-date=2014-04-13}}</ref> initiative that provides lessons for infant children, to cope with an emergency where they have fallen into the water. They are taught how to roll-back-to-float (hold their breath underwater, to roll onto their back, to float unassisted, rest and breathe until help arrives), while clothed and unclothed. In ISR they teach the children how to roll with their clothes on, as a simulation, if they were to actually fall in walking or crawling by.

In Switzerland, swimming lessons for babies are popular, to help them getting used to be in another element. At the competition level, unlike in other countries - such as the Commonwealth countries, swimming teams are not related to educational institutions (high-schools and universities), but rather to cities or regions.

==Clothing and equipment==

===Swimsuits===
{{multiple image|
| width1 = 127
| image1 = boardshorts.jpg
| caption1 = ], a type of men's casual ]|
| width2 = 160
| image2 = IDHM Wasserspringen 2018-02-18 3m mixed Vorkampf Sprung 3 18.jpg
| caption2 = A man and woman in ] during a ] event
}}

Standard everyday clothing is usually impractical for swimming and is unsafe under some circumstances. Most cultures today expect swimmers to wear ].

Men's swimsuits commonly resemble ], or ]. Men's casual swimsuits (for example, ]) are rarely skintight, unlike ], like jammers or diveskins. In most cases, boys and men swim with their upper body exposed, except in countries where custom or law prohibits it in a public setting, or for practical reasons such as sun protection.

Modern women's swimsuits are generally skintight, covering the ] and the ] (See ]). Women's ] may also cover the ] as well. Women's swimwear is often a fashion statement, and whether it is ] or not is a subject of debate by many groups, religious and secular.

] modified swimsuits, sometimes called ].]]

] is built so that the wearer can swim faster and more efficiently. Modern competitive swimwear is skintight and lightweight. There are many kinds of competitive swimwear for each ]. It is used in aquatic competitions, such as water polo, swim racing, diving, and ].

] provide both thermal insulation and flotation. Many swimmers lack buoyancy in the leg. The wetsuit provides additional volume at a lower density and therefore improves buoyancy and trim while swimming. It provides insulation between the skin and water which reduces heat loss. The wetsuit is the usual choice for those who swim in cold water for long periods of time, as it reduces susceptibility to ].

Some people also choose to wear no clothing while swimming. In some European countries public pools allow clothes-free swimming and many countries have beaches where one can swim naked. It is legal to swim naked in the sea at all UK beaches. It was common for males to swim naked in a public setting up to the early 20th century. Today, swimming naked can be a rebellious activity or merely a casual one.

===Accessories===
* ] can prevent water from getting in the ears.
* ]s can prevent water from getting in the nose. However, using noseclips in competitive swimming can cause disadvantage, so many competitive swimmer choose not to use one. For this reason, nose clips are primarily used for synchronized swimming and recreational swimming.
* ] protect the eyes from chlorinated water, and improve underwater visibility. Tinted goggles protect the eyes from sunlight that reflects from the bottom of the pool.
* ]s keep the body streamlined and protect the hair from chlorinated water, though they are not entirely watertight.
* ]s are used to keep the upper body afloat while exercising the lower body.
* ]s are used to keep the lower body afloat while exercising the upper body.
* ] are used in training to elongate the kick and improve technique and speed. Fins also build upper calf muscles. Fins provide a significantly greater and more efficient conversion of muscle power to thrust than available from the feet, and allow the powerful leg muscles to be used effectively for propulsion through water. The value of fins as an active aid in the teaching, learning and practice of swimming has long been recognised. In the US, as early as 1947, they were used experimentally to build the confidence of reluctant beginners in swimming,<ref>Clarence B. Douglas: "Motivating Swimming Beginners with Swim Fins", ''Journal of Physical Education'', Vol. XLIV No. 4 (March/April 1947), pp. 89, 96-97.</ref> while a 1950 ] lifesaving and water safety manual reminded swimming instructors how "flippers can be used to great advantage for treading water, surface diving, towing, underwater searching and supporting a tired swimmer".<ref>Charles E. Silvia: ''Manual of Life Saving and Water Safety Instruction'', New York, NY: Association Press, 1950, p. 67</ref> In 1967, research was conducted on fin use in teaching the crawl stroke.<ref>Bernard Gutin and Jeffrey Lichter: "Use of fins to teach the crawl kick to beginners and intermediate swimmers", ''Swimming Technique'' Vol. 4 No. 2, July 1967, pp. 28-30.</ref> During the 1970s, the so-called "flipper-float" method came into vogue in Europe with the aim of helping beginners learn to swim faster and more safely,<ref>Gerhard Hetz: ''Schwimmen lernen - schnell + sicher'', Munich, Berne, Vienna: blv Verlagsgesellschaft, 1974.</ref>
* ]s are used to increase resistance during arm movements, with the goal of improving technique and power.
* Finger paddles have a similar effect to handle paddles however due to their smaller size create less resistance. They also help with improving a swimmers 'catch' in the water.
* ] are used to help improve and maintain a good head position in the water. They may also be used by some during ].
* ]s are used to keep the user afloat during the time in the water.
* ] and equipment is mandatory at public pools and a zoning requirement at most residential pools in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swimmingpool.com/safety-equipment |title=Pool safety equipment overview |publisher=Swimmingpool.com |access-date=2014-04-13 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716172740/http://www.swimmingpool.com/safety-equipment |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Swimming Parachutes are used in competitive training, adding an element of resistance in the water helping athletes to increase power in the strokes central movements.
* ] are swimming aids designed to provide buoyancy for the swimmer which helps the wearer to float.


==See also== ==See also==
{{Div col|colwidth=12em}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
{{Div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book
| last = Cox
| first = Lynne
| year = 2005
| title = Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer
| publisher = Harvest Books | isbn = 978-0-15-603130-1}}
* Maniscalco F., Il nuoto nel mondo greco romano, Naples 1993.
* Mehl H., Antike Schwimmkunst, Munchen 1927.
* Schuster G., Smits W. & Ullal J., ''Thinkers of the Jungle''. Tandem Verlag 2008.
* {{cite book
| last = Sprawson
| first = Charles
| year = 2000
| title = Haunts of the Black Masseur - The Swimmer as Hero
| publisher = ]
| isbn = 978-0-8166-3539-9
}}svin
* {{cite book
| last = Tarpinian
| first = Steve
| year = 1996
| title = The Essential Swimmer
| publisher = The Lyons Press
| isbn = 978-1-55821-386-9
| url-access = registration
| url = https://archive.org/details/essentialswimmer00tarp
}}
* WebMD. (n.d.). ''Health benefits of swimming''. WebMD. <nowiki>https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/a-z/swimming-for-fitness</nowiki>
* "The Benefits of Swimming," Swim England
* Swimming and Arthritis," Arthritis Foundatio
* Water Safety Tips," American Red Cross
* Water Safety," Safe Kids Worldwide

==External links==
{{Wiktionary}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Swimming}}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230221759/http://www.swimmingstrokes.info/ |date=2013-12-30 }}, Overview of 150 historical and less known swimming-strokes

{{Physical exercise|state=expanded}}
{{Human-powered vehicles}}


{{Authority control}}
*]
*]
*]
*] (From the Boy's Own Book of Outdoor Sports (early 1900s))
*]
*]
*]


] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 00:12, 1 January 2025

Self propulsion of a person through water This article is about standard human swimming. For competitive swimming, see Swimming (sport). For animal swimming, see Aquatic locomotion. For other uses, see Swimming (disambiguation) and Swimmer (disambiguation).

A competitive swimmer performing the breaststroke

Swimming is the self-propulsion of a person through water or other liquid, such as saltwater or freshwater environments, usually for recreation, sport, exercise, or survival. Swimmers achieve locomotion by coordinating limb and body movements to achieve hydrodynamic thrust that results in directional motion. Newborns can instinctively hold their breath underwater and exhibit rudimentary swimming movements as part of a survival reflex. Swimming requires endurance, skill, and efficient techniques to maximize speed and minimize energy consumption.

Swimming is a popular activity and competitive sport where certain techniques are deployed to move through water. It offers numerous health benefits, such as strengthened cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and increased flexibility. It is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Swimming is consistently among the top public recreational activities, and in some countries, swimming lessons are a compulsory part of the educational curriculum. As a formalized sport, swimming is featured in various local, national, and international competitions, including every modern Summer Olympics.

Swimming involves repeated motions known as strokes to propel the body forward. While the front crawl, also known as freestyle, is widely regarded as the fastest of the four main strokes, other strokes are practiced for special purposes, such as training.

Swimming comes with certain risks, mainly because of the aquatic environment where it takes place. For instance, swimmers may find themselves incapacitated by panic and exhaustion, both potential causes of death by drowning. Other dangers may arise from exposure to infection or hostile aquatic fauna. To minimize such eventualities, most facilities employ a lifeguard to keep alert for any signs of distress.

Swimmers often wear specialized swimwear, although depending on the area's culture, some swimmers may also swim nude or wear their day attire. In addition, a variety of equipment can be used to enhance the swimming experience or performance, including but not limited to the use of swimming goggles, floatation devices, swim fins, and snorkels.

Science

Swimmers perform squats prior to entering the pool in a U.S. military base, 2011.

Swimming relies on the nearly neutral buoyancy of the human body. On average, the body has a relative density of 0.98 compared to water, which causes the body to float. However, buoyancy varies based on body composition, lung inflation, muscle and fat content, centre of gravity and the salinity of the water. Higher levels of body fat and saltier water both lower the relative density of the body and increase its buoyancy. Because they tend to have a lower centre of gravity and higher muscle content, human males find it more difficult to float or be buoyant. See also: Hydrostatic weighing.

Since the human body is less dense than water, water can support the body's weight during swimming. As a result, swimming is "low-impact" compared to land activities such as running. The density and viscosity of water also create resistance for objects moving through the water. Swimming strokes use this resistance to create propulsion, but this same resistance also generates drag on the body.

Hydrodynamics is important to stroke technique for swimming faster, and swimmers who want to swim faster or exhaust less try to reduce the drag of the body's motion through the water. To be more hydrodynamically effective, swimmers can either increase the power of their strokes or reduce water resistance. However, power must increase by a factor of three to achieve the same effect as reducing resistance. Efficient swimming by reducing water resistance involves a horizontal water position, rolling the body to reduce the breadth of the body in the water, and extending the arms as far as possible to reduce wave resistance.

Just before plunging into the pool, swimmers may perform exercises such as squatting. Squatting helps enhance a swimmer's start by warming up the thigh muscles.

Infant swimming

Main article: Infant swimming

Human babies demonstrate an innate swimming or diving reflex from newborn until approximately ten months. Other mammals also demonstrate this phenomenon (see mammalian diving reflex). The diving response involves apnea, reflex bradycardia, and peripheral vasoconstriction; in other words, babies immersed in water spontaneously hold their breath, slow their heart rate, and reduce blood circulation to the extremities (fingers and toes). Because infants exhibit instinctual swimming behaviors, though formal training is recommended to reinforce these abilities., classes for babies about six months old are offered in many locations. This helps build muscle memory and makes strong swimmers from a young age.

Technique

See also: Swimming stroke
Kids swimming in a lake.
Kids enjoying while swimming in a lake.

Swimming can be undertaken using a wide range of styles, known as 'strokes,' and which are used for different purposes or to distinguish between classes in competitive swimming. Using a defined stroke for propulsion through the water is unnecessary, and untrained swimmers may use a 'doggy paddle' of arm and leg movements, similar to how four-legged animals swim.

Four main strokes are used in competition and recreational swimming: the front crawl, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly.

In non-competitive swimming, there are some additional swimming strokes, including the sidestroke. The sidestroke, toward the end of the 19th century, changed this pattern by raising one arm above the water first, then the other, and then each in turn. It is still used in lifesaving and recreational swimming.

Other strokes exist for particular reasons, such as training, school lessons, and rescue, and it is often possible to change strokes to avoid using parts of the body, either to separate specific body parts, such as swimming with only arms or legs to exercise them harder, or for amputees or those affected by paralysis.

History

Main article: History of swimming
Timurid conqueror Babur's troops swim across a river.

Swimming has been recorded since prehistoric times, and the earliest records of swimming date back to Stone Age paintings from around 7,000 years ago. Written references date from 2000 BCE. Some earliest references include the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Bible (Ezekiel 47:5, Acts 27:42, Isaiah 25:11), Beowulf, and other sagas.

In 450 BC, Herodotus described a failed seaborne expedition of Mardonius with the words "…those who could not swim perished from that cause, others from the cold".

The coastal tribes living in the volatile Low Countries were known as excellent swimmers by the Romans. Men and horses of the Batavi tribe could cross the Rhine without losing formation, according to Tacitus. Dio Cassius describes one surprise tactic employed by Aulus Plautius against the Celts at the Battle of the Medway:

The thought that Romans would not be able to cross it without a bridge, and consequently bivouacked in rather careless fashion on the opposite bank; but he sent across a detachment of , who were accustomed to swim easily in full armour across the most turbulent streams. ... Thence the Britons retired to the river Thames at a point near where it empties into the ocean and at flood-tide forms a lake. This they easily crossed because they knew where the firm ground and the easy passages in this region were to be found, but the Romans in attempting to follow them were not so successful. However, the swam across again and some others got over by a bridge a little way up-stream, after which they assailed the barbarians from several sides at once and cut down many of them.

The Talmud, a compendium of Jewish law written compiled c. 500 CE, requires fathers to teach their son how to swim.

In 1538, Nikolaus Wynmann, a Swiss–German professor of languages, wrote the earliest known complete book about swimming, Colymbetes, sive de arte natandi dialogus et festivus et iucundus lectu (The Swimmer, or A Dialogue on the Art of Swimming and Joyful and Pleasant to Read).

Competitive swimming in Europe started around 1800, mostly using the breaststroke, which started as the current breaststroke arms and the legs of the butterfly stroke. In 1873, John Arthur Trudgen introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions.

The butterfly was developed in the 1930s and was considered a variant of the breaststroke until it was accepted as a separate style in 1953.

Purpose

There are many reasons why people swim, from a recreational pursuit to swimming as a necessary part of a job or other activity. Swimming may also be used to rehabilitate injuries, especially various cardiovascular and muscle injuries. Professional opportunities in swimming range from competitive sports to coaching, lifeguarding, and working in aquatic therapy. Some may be gifted and choose to compete professionally and go on to claim fame.

Recreation

Children's bathing beach, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 1905

Many swimmers swim for recreation, with swimming consistently ranking as one of the physical activities people are most likely to participate in. Recreational swimming can also be used for exercise, relaxation, or rehabilitation. The support of the water and the reduction in impact make swimming accessible for people unable to undertake activities such as running. Swimming is one of the most relaxing activities, and water is known to calm us and help reduce stress.

Health

Chuck Sketch, a former U.S. Marine and a Wounded Warrior with the veteran swim team, swims laps during a practice session at the 2012 Marine Corps Trials at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, February 14, 2012. Wounded Warriors, veterans, and allies competed in the second annual trials, which included swimming.

Swimming is primarily a cardiovascular/aerobic exercise due to the long exercise time, requiring a constant oxygen supply, except for short sprints where the muscles work anaerobically. Furthermore, swimming can help tone and strengthen muscles. Regular swimming can help in weight management and contribute to maintaining a healthy body weight. (Robinson 2022) Swimming allows sufferers of arthritis to exercise affected joints without worsening their symptoms. Swimming is often recommended for individuals with joint conditions or injuries, as the buoyancy of water reduces stress on the joints. However, swimmers with arthritis may wish to avoid swimming breaststroke, as improper technique can exacerbate arthritic knee pain. As with most aerobic exercise, swimming reduces the harmful effects of stress. Swimming also improves health for people with cardiovascular problems and chronic illnesses. It is proven to impact the mental health of pregnant women and mothers positively. Swimming can even improve mood. Although many forms of physical activity have been shown to improve bone density and health, this is where swimming has its downfalls. Due to the low-impact nature of the sport, studies have demonstrated that bone mass acquisition will be negatively impacted, which could be an issue for adolescent athletes in particular.

Disabled swimmers

Since 2010, the Americans with Disabilities Act has required that swimming pools in the United States be accessible to disabled swimmers.

Elderly swimmers

"Water-based exercise can benefit older adults by improving quality of life and decreasing disability. It also improves or maintains the bone health of post-menopausal women." Swimming is an ideal workout for the elderly, as it is a low-impact sport with very little risk of injury. Exercise in the water works out all muscle groups, helping with conditions such as muscular dystrophy which is common in seniors. It is also a common way to relieve pain from arthritis.

Sport

Main article: Swimming (sport)
Start of the 4 × 100 meters men's relay during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing

Swimming as a sport predominantly involves participants competing to be the fastest over a given distance in a certain period of time. Competitors swim different distances in different levels of competition. For example, swimming has been an Olympic sport since 1896, and the current program includes events from 50 m to 1500 m in length, across all four main strokes and medley. During the season competitive swimmers typically train multiple times per day and week to increase endurance, strength, and preserve fitness. Furthermore when the cycle of work is completed swimmers go through a stage called taper where intensity is reduced in preparation for competition season. During taper, focus is on power and water feel.

The sport is governed internationally by World Aquatics, formerly known as FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) before it adopted its current name in December 2022. World Aquatics recognizes competitions of the 25 meter and 50 meter pools for International Competitions. In the United States, a pool of 25 yards in length is commonly used for competition, especially in the College Level.

Other swimming and water-related sporting disciplines include open water swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo, triathlon, and the modern pentathlon.

Safety

Main article: Drowning

To prioritize safety when swimming, swimmers can ensure that there are certified lifeguards present, swimming in designated areas, and being aware of potential hazards such as currents and underwater obstacles.

As a popular leisure activity done all over the world, one of the primary risks of swimming is drowning. Drowning may occur from a variety of factors, from swimming fatigue to simply inexperience in the water. From 2005 to 2014, an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings occurred in the United States, approximating 10 deaths a day.

To minimize the risk and prevent potential drownings from occurring, lifeguards are often employed to supervise swimming locations such as public pools, waterparks, lakes and beaches. Different lifeguards receive different training depending on the sites that they are employed at; i.e. a waterfront lifeguard receives more rigorous training than a poolside lifeguard. Well-known aquatic training services include the National Lifesaving Society and the Canadian Red Cross, which specialize in training lifeguards in North America.

Learning basic water safety skills, such as swimming with a buddy and knowing how to respond to emergencies, is essential for swimmers of all levels.

Occupation

Some occupations require workers to swim, such as abalone and pearl diving, and spearfishing.

Swimming is used to rescue people in the water who are in distress, including exhausted swimmers, non-swimmers who have accidentally entered the water, and others who have come to harm on the water. Lifeguards or volunteer lifesavers are deployed at many pools and beaches worldwide to fulfil this purpose, and they, as well as rescue swimmers, may use specific swimming styles for rescue purposes.

Swimming is also used in marine biology to observe plants and animals in their natural habitat. Other sciences use swimming; for example, Konrad Lorenz swam with geese as part of his studies of animal behavior.

Swimming also has military purposes. Military swimming is usually done by special operation forces, such as Navy SEALs and US Army Special Forces. Swimming is used to approach a location, gather intelligence, engage in sabotage or combat, and subsequently depart. This may also include airborne insertion into water or exiting a submarine while it is submerged. Due to regular exposure to large bodies of water, all recruits in the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are required to complete basic swimming or water survival training.

Swimming is also a professional sport. Companies sponsor swimmers who have the skills to compete at the international level. Many swimmers compete competitively to represent their home countries in the Olympics. Professional swimmers may also earn a living as entertainers, performing in water ballets.

Locomotion

Locomotion by swimming over brief distances is frequent when alternatives are precluded. There have been cases of political refugees swimming in the Baltic Sea and of people jumping in the water and swimming ashore from vessels not intended to reach land where they planned to go.

Risks

See also: Swimming injuries
A sign warns hikers on the trail to Hanakapiai Beach.
Man smiling to camera while ice swimming at a summer cottage in Finland

There are many risks associated with voluntary or involuntary human presence in water, which may result in death directly or through drowning asphyxiation. Swimming is both the goal of much voluntary presence and the prime means of regaining land in accidental situations.

Most recorded water deaths fall into these categories:

  • Panic occurs when an inexperienced swimmer or a nonswimmer becomes mentally overwhelmed by the circumstances of their immersion, leading to sinking and drowning. Occasionally, panic kills through hyperventilation, even in shallow water.
  • Exhaustion can make a person unable to sustain efforts to swim or tread water, often leading to death through drowning. An adult with fully developed and extended lungs has generally positive or at least neutral buoyancy, and can float with modest effort when calm and in still water. A small child has negative buoyancy and must make a sustained effort to avoid sinking rapidly.
  • Hypothermia, in which a person loses critical core temperature, can lead to unconsciousness or heart failure.
  • Dehydration from prolonged exposure to hypertonic salt water—or, less frequently, salt water aspiration syndrome where inhaled salt water creates foam in the lungs that restricts breathing—can cause loss of physical control or kill directly without actual drowning. Hypothermia and dehydration also kill directly, without causing drowning, even when the person wears a life vest.
  • Blunt trauma in a fast moving flood or river water can kill a swimmer outright, or lead to their drowning.

Adverse effects of swimming can include:

  • Exostosis, an abnormal bony overgrowth narrowing the ear canal due to frequent, long-term splashing or filling of cold water into the ear canal, also known as surfer's ear
  • Infection from water-borne bacteria, viruses, or parasites
  • Chlorine inhalation (in swimming pools)
  • Heart attacks while swimming (the primary cause of sudden death among triathlon participants, occurring at the rate of 1 to 2 per 100,000 participations.)
  • Adverse encounters with aquatic life:

Around any pool area, safety equipment is often important, and is a zoning requirement for most residential pools in the United States. Supervision by personnel trained in rescue techniques is required at most competitive swimming meets and public pools.

Lessons

A Styrofoam flotation aid being used
Main article: Swimming lessons

Traditionally, children were considered not able to swim independently until 4 years of age, although now infant swimming lessons are recommended to prevent drowning.

In Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Estonia and Finland, the curriculum for the fifth grade (fourth grade in Estonia) states that all children should learn to swim as well as how to handle emergencies near water. Most commonly, children are expected to be able to swim 200 metres (660 ft)—of which at least 50 metres (160 ft) on their back – after first falling into deep water and getting their head under water. Even though about 95 percent of Swedish school children know how to swim, drowning remains the third most common cause of death among children.

In both the Netherlands and Belgium swimming lessons under school time (schoolzwemmen, school swimming) are supported by the government. Most schools provide swimming lessons. There is a long tradition of swimming lessons in the Netherlands and Belgium, the Dutch translation for the breaststroke swimming style is even schoolslag (schoolstroke). In France, swimming is a compulsory part of the curriculum for primary schools. Children usually spend one semester per year learning swimming during CP/CE1/CE2/CM1 (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade).

In many places, swimming lessons are provided by local swimming pools, both those run by the local authority and by private leisure companies. Many schools also include swimming lessons into their Physical Education curricula, provided either in the schools' own pool or in the nearest public pool.

In the UK, the "Top-ups scheme" calls for school children who cannot swim by the age of 11 to receive intensive daily lessons. Children who have not reached Great Britain's National Curriculum standard of swimming 25 meters by the time they leave primary school receive a half-hour lesson every day for two weeks during term-time.

In Canada and Mexico there has been a call to include swimming in public school curriculum.

In the United States there is the Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) initiative that provides lessons for infant children, to cope with an emergency where they have fallen into the water. They are taught how to roll-back-to-float (hold their breath underwater, to roll onto their back, to float unassisted, rest and breathe until help arrives), while clothed and unclothed. In ISR they teach the children how to roll with their clothes on, as a simulation, if they were to actually fall in walking or crawling by.

In Switzerland, swimming lessons for babies are popular, to help them getting used to be in another element. At the competition level, unlike in other countries - such as the Commonwealth countries, swimming teams are not related to educational institutions (high-schools and universities), but rather to cities or regions.

Clothing and equipment

Swimsuits

Boardshorts, a type of men's casual swimwearA man and woman in competitive swimwear during a synchronised swimming event

Standard everyday clothing is usually impractical for swimming and is unsafe under some circumstances. Most cultures today expect swimmers to wear swimsuits.

Men's swimsuits commonly resemble shorts, or briefs. Men's casual swimsuits (for example, boardshorts) are rarely skintight, unlike competitive swimwear, like jammers or diveskins. In most cases, boys and men swim with their upper body exposed, except in countries where custom or law prohibits it in a public setting, or for practical reasons such as sun protection.

Modern women's swimsuits are generally skintight, covering the pubic region and the breasts (See bikini). Women's swimwear may also cover the midriff as well. Women's swimwear is often a fashion statement, and whether it is modest or not is a subject of debate by many groups, religious and secular.

Different cultures have different standards for swimsuits. In Muslim communities, women may choose to wear Hijab modified swimsuits, sometimes called burkini.

Competitive swimwear is built so that the wearer can swim faster and more efficiently. Modern competitive swimwear is skintight and lightweight. There are many kinds of competitive swimwear for each gender. It is used in aquatic competitions, such as water polo, swim racing, diving, and rowing.

Wetsuits provide both thermal insulation and flotation. Many swimmers lack buoyancy in the leg. The wetsuit provides additional volume at a lower density and therefore improves buoyancy and trim while swimming. It provides insulation between the skin and water which reduces heat loss. The wetsuit is the usual choice for those who swim in cold water for long periods of time, as it reduces susceptibility to hypothermia.

Some people also choose to wear no clothing while swimming. In some European countries public pools allow clothes-free swimming and many countries have beaches where one can swim naked. It is legal to swim naked in the sea at all UK beaches. It was common for males to swim naked in a public setting up to the early 20th century. Today, swimming naked can be a rebellious activity or merely a casual one.

Accessories

  • Ear plugs can prevent water from getting in the ears.
  • Noseclips can prevent water from getting in the nose. However, using noseclips in competitive swimming can cause disadvantage, so many competitive swimmer choose not to use one. For this reason, nose clips are primarily used for synchronized swimming and recreational swimming.
  • Goggles protect the eyes from chlorinated water, and improve underwater visibility. Tinted goggles protect the eyes from sunlight that reflects from the bottom of the pool.
  • Swim caps keep the body streamlined and protect the hair from chlorinated water, though they are not entirely watertight.
  • Kickboards are used to keep the upper body afloat while exercising the lower body.
  • Pull buoys are used to keep the lower body afloat while exercising the upper body.
  • Swimfins are used in training to elongate the kick and improve technique and speed. Fins also build upper calf muscles. Fins provide a significantly greater and more efficient conversion of muscle power to thrust than available from the feet, and allow the powerful leg muscles to be used effectively for propulsion through water. The value of fins as an active aid in the teaching, learning and practice of swimming has long been recognised. In the US, as early as 1947, they were used experimentally to build the confidence of reluctant beginners in swimming, while a 1950 YMCA lifesaving and water safety manual reminded swimming instructors how "flippers can be used to great advantage for treading water, surface diving, towing, underwater searching and supporting a tired swimmer". In 1967, research was conducted on fin use in teaching the crawl stroke. During the 1970s, the so-called "flipper-float" method came into vogue in Europe with the aim of helping beginners learn to swim faster and more safely,
  • Hand paddles are used to increase resistance during arm movements, with the goal of improving technique and power.
  • Finger paddles have a similar effect to handle paddles however due to their smaller size create less resistance. They also help with improving a swimmers 'catch' in the water.
  • Snorkels are used to help improve and maintain a good head position in the water. They may also be used by some during physical therapy.
  • Pool noodles are used to keep the user afloat during the time in the water.
  • Safety fencing and equipment is mandatory at public pools and a zoning requirement at most residential pools in the United States.
  • Swimming Parachutes are used in competitive training, adding an element of resistance in the water helping athletes to increase power in the strokes central movements.
  • Inflatable armbands are swimming aids designed to provide buoyancy for the swimmer which helps the wearer to float.

See also

References

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Bibliography

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