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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.
The torso and the legs should be kept as much as possible parallel to the surface of the water. Dropped legs or a slanted torso dramatically increase drag.
The hand should be extended forward of the head, 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."
The time spent on the side should be maximized 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 body's 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.
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.
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.
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 (minimising drag and lengthening water-line) are not optimal.
A number of swimming styles have been developed based on the implementation of some or all of these principles.
Swimming has been known since prehistoric times. Drawings from the stone age were found in "the cave of swimmers" near Wadi Sora (or Sura) in the southwestern part of Egypt. Written references date back up to 2000 B.C., including Gilgamesh, the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Bible (Ezekiel 47:5, Acts 27:42, Isaiah 25:11), Beowulf, and other sagas. In 1538 Nicolas Wynman, German professor of languages, wrote the first swimming Book "Colymbetes". Competitive swimming in Europe started around 1800, mostly using Breaststroke. The Front crawl, then called the trudgen was introduced in 1873 by John Arthur Trudgen, copying it from Native Americans.
Swimming was part of the first modern Olympic games in 1896 in Athens. In 1902 the trudgen was improved by Richard Cavill, using the flutter kick. In 1908, the world swimming association Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) was formed. Butterfly was first a variant of Breaststroke, until it was accepted as a separate style in 1952.
In the US all distances are swum in short course yards for NCAA and high school competition, except during Olympic years in which the NCAA championships are held in the short course meters format. Short course means that each length is 25 yards or meters. There are also world championships held in the short course meters format, however, it is not as publicised as the traditional long course (50 meters per length) world championships. The Olympic Games are competed exclusively in the long course meters format. World Championships are held each year, including both the traditional long course meters format and the less popular short course meters format. World records are tabulated separately for each event in both formats; world records are not recognized for the short course yards format.
Backstroke and Freestyle are referred to as "long-axis" strokes because the body is in a much longer position than when performing breaststroke or butterfly, which are known as "short-axis" strokes.
In addition to that there are a number of combination events in competitive swimming.
Full rules are on the rules web page of FINA.
Competitive swimming has traditionally been dominated by the United States, but recently that dominance has been challenged by Australia, where swimming is a hugely popular recreational activity, and participant and spectator sport. The success of Australian swimmers like Ian Thorpe, Michael Klim, Grant Hackett, and Kieren Perkins is reminiscent of Australia's previous golden age of swimming in the 1950s and 1960s, which saw the emergence of swimmers such as Shane Gould and Dawn Fraser. However, American swimmers, led by Michael Phelps, Natalie Coughlin, Kaitlin Sandeno, and Brendan Hansen have been holding off the Australians just like they did in the 2004 Olympics. Other countries with a great tradition in swimming are Russia (former Soviet Union: as to recent times, Alexander Popov was prominent in the fast races in the 1990s), Hungary, Poland, Germany, China (who has had a history of controversy due to probably steriod use), and Sweden. Newbies which recently had scored relevant success include Italy and Japan.
There are also a number of other competitive swimming performances, for example a long distance 5 kilometer open-water event, which became part of the Olympic program in 2000, or long distance swims across the English Channel, or circumnavigating Manhattan Island. The world record for the longest nonstop swim is held by Martin Strel for swimming 504km nonstop in 2001 in the Danube River. He also swam the Mississippi River in 2002 in 66+2days, a total of 3885km. The current holder of the most world records for long distance swimming is Vicki Keith.
Swimming is also a crucial part of other sports, such as Water polo, Synchronized swimming, Modern pentathlon and Triathlon. (See List of water sports)
The most common reason for swimming is probably recreation, where the swimmer enters the water merely for enjoyment. Many swimming styles 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 Breaststroke, side stroke, or 'dog paddle', however, out-of-water recovery of freestyle or butterfly gives rise to better exploitation of the difference in viscosity of the two media (air and water). Butterfly, which consists of out-of-water recovery with even symmetry in body movements, is most suited to rough water swimming. For example, Vicki Keith crossed the rough waters of Lake Ontario using butterfly. Much of recreational swimming takes place in pools, where the water is calm. Therefore freestyle (which does not work as well in rough water) is suitable. However, playing around in rough water is a common source of recreation, but is sometimes dangerous due to undertow or the risk of injury from rocks on the bottom of a lake or riverbed. Swimming pools are popular venues for recreational swimming, as are beaches, lakes, swimming holes, creeks, rivers, and sometimes canals.
Swimming is used to rescue other swimmers in distress. There are a number of specialized swimming styles specially for rescue purposes (see List of swimming styles). Such techniques are studied for example by lifeguards, or members of the Coast guard. The training of these techniques also evolved into competitions, as for example Surf lifesaving.
Swimming is also done for scientific research. Swimming is studied to improve the swimming performances of competitive swimmers. Swimming is also used in Marine biology to observe plants and animals in their natural habitat. Other sciences may also use swimming. Konrad Lorenz for example swam with geese as part of his studies of animal behavior.
Swimming also has military 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 Special forces, as for example Navy SEALS. 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 Submarine through a hatch or the torpedo tubes. Special equipment and techniques are also used to engage hostiles in and under water.
Swimming more recently has become a professional sport as well. Companies such as Speedo and TYR Sports Inc. sponsor swimmers just as Nike might sign contracts with basketball players. Also cash awards are given at many of the major competitions for breaking records. An example of a professional swimmer is Michael Phelps who has a contract with Speedo.
Swimming is a good form of Exercise. Because the Density of the human body is approximately similar to that of Water, the body is supported by the water and less stress is therefore placed on joints and bones. Furthermore, the resistance against movement depends heavily on the speed of the movement, allowing the fine tuning of the exercise according to one's ability. Therefore, swimming is frequently used as an exercise in rehabilitation after injuries, or for the disabled.
Resistance swimming is one form of swimming exercise. It is done either for training purposes, to hold the swimmer in place for stroke analysis, or to enable one to swim in a confined space for either athletic or therapeutic reasons. Resistance swimming can be done either against a stream of water set in motion by a (usually) self-contained mechanical device (often termed a Swimming machine) or by holding the swimmer stationary by means of elastic attachments.
Swimming is an Aerobic exercise due to the relatively long exercise time, requiring a constant Oxygen supply to the muscles, except for short sprints where the muscles work anaerobically. As with most aerobic exercise it is believed to reduce the harmful effects of stress. 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 Food energy to maintain body temperature.
The reason that swimming does not significantly reduce weight is still poorly understood, but seems to be related to the better heat conduction of water. A number of reasons are suspected.
Swimming exercises almost all muscles in the body. Usually, the arms and upper body are exercised more than the legs. 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 on the swimming style. While Breaststroke generates significant movement with the legs, Front crawl propels the body mainly with the arms.
Sometimes the swimming consists of swimming laps using a conventional stroke, such as the Front crawl; other forms can include different forms of exercise performed in the water, such as water aerobics.
Men's swimsuits tend to be trunks, surf or Boardshorts, competition briefs, cut-offs, or jeans.
Women's swimsuits are generally either one-piece swimsuits of traditional or competitive style (such as the Racerback) or bikinis. Also there is the Monokini, in case the coverage of the breasts is neither required nor desired.
Bodyskins are special whole body swimsuits for competitive swimming, designed to reduce skin drag. (See Competitive swimwear)
Swimwear manufacturers/suppliers include Speedo, Tyr Sports, Inc., Arena, Nike, Inc., and Adidas.
Nude swimming is done: