Swimming

Swimming is a sport that requires individuals to use their entire body to move through water. It is a popular all-round activity because it keeps your heart rate up but it is less stressful on your body. It builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness.

Origin

The sport originated from human's instinctive ability to swim, and has been practiced since prehistoric times. It was also included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Type

Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Individual Medley, Relay

Venue

Swimming Pool, Open Water

Supreme Authority

Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA)

Summary

Key Types of Swimming

Competitions

References

Summary

Swimming sports involve propelling oneself through water using the limbs. It's an activity that can be done in various types of water conditions, from calm pools to open water bodies like lakes, rivers, and oceans. There are four main swimming strokes, namely, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Swimming requires strength, endurance, and technique, making it a highly competitive and physically demanding activity.

Key Types of Swimming

Freestyle Swimming

Speed Swimming: This is the fastest swimming technique. It involves alternating arm strokes with a flutter kick. Distances in competitions can range from 50m to 1500m.

Backstroke Swimming

Backward Swimming: Swimmers lie on their backs and use alternating circular arm movements and a flutter kick. Distances in competitions can range from 50m to 200m.

Breaststroke Swimming

Technique Focused Swimming: This stroke involves simultaneous movements of the arms on the same horizontal plane. The hands are pressed out from in front of the breast in a heart-shaped pattern. Competitions can range from 50m to 200m.

Butterfly Stroke

Physically Demanding Swimming: This stroke involves simultaneous overhead arm motion combined with an undulating dolphin kick. In competitions, this can range from 50m to 200m.

Open Water Swimming

Endurance Swimming: This is a long-distance swimming event that takes place in open water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. Distances in competitions can range from 5 km to 25 km.

Competitions

Swimming is a part of the Olympic Games, with events in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and open water swimming.
There are also world championships organized by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) for various disciplines including pool and open water swimming.

References

Wikipedia: Swimming https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimming_(sport)

FINA: Disciplines http://www.fina.org/disciplines

Sports