Swimming is a sport that can be practiced by people of all ages. It is a form of cardiovascular exercise that increases endurance and builds muscular strength. The activity is also a great way to keep fit. People swim for a variety of reasons, including lifesaving and competitive games.
Competitive swimming is a discipline that requires a high level of training and skill. There are several rules and regulations that are important to remember when competing. These include using the proper technique, breathing at designated times, and maintaining proper position while performing each stroke.
For example, the butterfly swim is a wave-like movement, sweeping the arms above the water. A swimmer may be underwater for a total of 15 meters during the stroke. However, the best time to take a breath is when the arm is beginning to come out of the water. This allows the swimmer to stay in a streamline position and gain maximum power from the stroke.
The backstroke is another example of a stroke that is easy to learn. Using the same basic technique, a backstroke swimmer will perform a windmill motion with his arms. In many versions of the backstroke, the arms enter the water directly in line with the shoulders, and the leg movements are limited to forward motion.
As competitive swimming became more popular in the 19th century, the focus shifted from distance to speed. In a competition, the swimmer’s goal is to beat the opponent. Using the least resistance to achieve this goal is essential.
Freestyle and marathon swimming are both competitive forms of swimming. Freestyle is a continuous kick, while marathon swimming involves the alternating use of both legs and an arms movement. Generally, the freestyle and marathon swimmers are underwater for a longer period of time than their competitors.
Breaststroke is a stroke that does not require putting the head under water. However, it is slower than the other competitive swimming strokes. Also, the breaststroke is not used in all IM events. Although the breaststroke is not a competitive event, it can be useful for children and handicapped persons who need to get in shape.
Swimsuit technology has reached a point where people can compete with a suit, which reduces the resistance of the water. It is recommended that athletes strength train and stretch before making more rigorous movements. Various types of swimsuits are available, and many of them comply with international rules.
Competitive swimming is a challenging sport and has the potential to injure. To minimize the chances of injury, make sure that you follow the instructions and rules for each turn. Inspectors of turns are assigned to specific lanes on the pool’s ends and report any violations to the referee or chief inspector.
The International Swimming Federation, or FINA, is the international governing body for competitive swimming. Since 1969, it has recognised 15 men’s and 16 women’s world records, and it has officially recognized over forty swimming events.