Swimming is a sport that originated in Japan in 1603. It was first conducted as a race, but has since developed into an international sport. The sport was revived and formalized in England in 1837, when a sports association organized a swimming championship over 440 yards. In 1969, the Association Metropolitan Swimming Club was formed and in the following year, the Federation International de Natation Amateur (FINA) was formed with 10 member nations. Initially, swimming competitions were held in the sea, but in the 1880s competitions began to move to pools.
Swimming has many different styles. Different strokes require different types of movements. The backstroke is the easiest, and involves kicking with both arms. Traditionally, a swimmer enters the water with his or her back and arms at shoulder level. Backstroke swimmers also use their arms to breathe, but the movement of the arms is not as coordinated as the other strokes.
History shows that swimming can be traced back to preliterate maritime peoples in the Pacific, and ancient Greeks and Romans also practiced the sport. In addition to its social benefits, swimming was a way for people to escape enemy forces. A world history of physical education mentions the story of Ramses II battling the Hittites in a swimming contest, as well as the story of Jonathan the Maccabee crossing the Jordan River. And in ancient times, swimming was considered an important sport and even required for knights.
As a form of exercise, swimming is an excellent way to stay fit. According to experts, you should aim for 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week. Swimming will work your entire body and cardiovascular system, burning almost as many calories as running. And unlike running, swimming doesn’t cause the same impact on joints as running, which makes it a great choice for anyone’s health.
In the early 20th century, swimming became more of a popular sport. Indoor pools became a staple in many cities, and swimming clubs were created. During this time, women were allowed to compete in swimming events. The first modern Olympics were held in Athens in 1896. In 1904, the sport was made more accessible to the general public by incorporating the breaststroke and the 4×50-yard freestyle relay.
Backstroke swimming is another type of swimming that requires technique and practice. The backstroke requires a swimmer to lie on their back in the water and kick their arms out of the water. They may switch to their stomach only during turns, but must be back on their backs at the end of a race. The backstroke lane should be a minimum of two meters deep, but many local pools have shallow ends that are perfect for practice.
Freestyle swimming is the fastest form of swimming and involves the use of the arms to propel the swimmer. The arms must move in an overhand position with a constant kick to keep the swimmer’s body on an efficient plane.