Swimming Exercises, Information and Workout Techniques

Swimming is a popular pastime and official Olympic sport that is supported by fans all over the world. Local beaches and community swimming pools remain a hot spot for younger swimmers. Older swimmers take pleasure in the sport for the joint relief it brings, as well as its therapeutic properties. Swimming is a fun sport to partake in or watch and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Biomechanics of Swimming

Biomechanics is the sport science field that consists of principals of physics, human anatomy, and the study of motion. Swimmers study biomechanics in order to prevent injury and to improve their performance in the water. Principals of biomechanics are also recognized when executing competitive swimsuit designs. Tweaking one’s biomechanics can make the difference between a win and lose during a swimming competition.

  • Biomechanics of Swimming: Learn how swimming performance is determined and the factors that affect the sport.
  • Swimming Science: Article on how biomechanics and physics relate to the human body while swimming.
  • Propulsion in Freestyle Swimming: Discussion on whether propulsion during freestyle swimming is caused by lift or drag.
  • Biomechanics of Swimming and Flight: Journal page that provides information on how muscles react during swimming.
  • Training and Technique: Collection of articles that features tips, exercises, and growth in the sport.
  • Swimming Biomechanics and Injury Prevention: Sports medicine article that discusses new stroke techniques and effective ways to prevent injury.
  • Velocity Profile in Streamline Swimming: Importance of studying biomechanics to reduce drag time and achieve the fastest time possible.

Hydrodynamics of Swimming

Hydrodynamics is a branch of science that deals with fluids in motion and in what ways do forces affect this movement. By understanding how water moves and interacts with the body, swimmers are able to move more smoothly through the water. Hydrodynamics efficiently aids the swimmer in his or her movement from one area to another. These principals reduce resistance, or drag, in the water and provide the forward motion required in the sport of swimming.

Physiology of Swimming

Physiology is the science of the physical, mechanical, and biochemical functions of the human body and how it reacts to stimuli. Swimmers must understand physiology as it’s an important part of sports medicine and has a direct impact on their performance. By integrating concepts that apply to physiology, swimmers can develop plans that help to avoid hazards in the water, prevent injury, and gain strength. With an improved understanding of these concepts, athletes can ensure that they can offer a quality performance.

Psychology of Swimming

Sport psychology is a combination of self image, mental, and motivational tools required for all athletes. Not only do swimmers need to be fast and strong, but they also need a positive attitude to succeed. They must put forth their best effort during each competition and believe that they can win. Coaches can aid in their swimmer’s psychological state by encouraging their physical and mental being before and after each competition.

  • Sport’s Psychology: Newsletter about the psychology behind various sports, such as swimming, and the basic idea of visualization.
  • Psychology of Swimming: The importance on focusing on positive situations and pushing past pressure and negative aspects of life.
  • Motivational Quotes: List of inspirational quotes for swimmers from famous athletes.
  • Swim-Series: Collection of articles that offer tips for swimming under pressure and other mental and physical swimming secrets.
  • Sport Psychology for Parents: Learn what your swimmer requires from you as a parent.
  • Building Mental Strength: How to change a swimmer’s expectations to help improve their performance.
  • Psychology of Swimming: Tips on how to improve your swimming skills and a page that states the ten rules of sports psychology.

Training for Swimming

With the exception of man, all mammals have the natural ability to swim. Consistent training is important for all athletes, especially in competitive swimming. Without a carefully developed training regimen, a swimmer does not have all the tools to be successful. Developing and executing a good training plan can help to build strength and expand skills and endurance.

Famous Swimmers

There are a number of famous swimmers that are known by the general public. These include athletes such as Olympic swimmers that are commonly idolized by fans of the sport. The following list is of famous swimmers, such as Michael Phelps and Dawn Fraser. While not all of these individuals are Olympic Gold Medalists, each has earned their recognition in the world of competitive swimming.

  • Mark Spitz: Biography on Olympic swimmer and winner of seven gold medals, Mark Spitz.
  • Gertrude Ederle: American swimmer, Gertrude Ederle, was the first women to ever swim the English Channel.
  • Michael Phelps: World-champion swimmer who holds the record of the most gold medal wins in a single Olympic game.
  • Esther Williams: Short biography of Esther Williams who earned three national championships in both freestyle and the breaststroke.
  • Ben Lecomte: First man to swim the 3,715 miles across the Atlantic Ocean at the age of 31.
  • Dawn Fraser: Australia’s greatest Olympian who was awarded the “World Athlete of the Century”.

Swimming Tips and Techniques

Swimming in a pool requires different techniques then swimming at the beach, due to currents and other uncontrolled aspects of nature. The following list of resources provides tips for swimming in open water and in rip water currents. Additional resources offer swimming tips and techniques on how to perform various strokes and performance improvement. Knowing how to swim properly is essential for swimming in different environments.

  • Swimming for Kids: Safety tips for kids to learn and keep in mind when swimming.
  • Fitness Page – Swimming: Information on required equipment, variations, muscle groups, guidelines, and basic workout plans.
  • Open Water Swimming Tips: List of tips on how to be successful when training for swimming competitions or for fitness.
  • Swimming Strokes: Collection of video clips on how to complete various swimming strokes.
  • Rip Current Safety Tips: General safety tips for swimming at the beach and what to do if caught in a rip current.
  • Beach Safety Tips: List of tips for children, adults, and their pets to stay safe while swimming at the beach.