Swimming

Swimming is the movement of humans and other animals move through water. It has recreational and useful purposes, such as bathing, cooling, fishing, recreation, exercise, and sports. While many land animals are born with the innate ability to swim, humans have to learn how to swim.

Swimming as a modern day sport began in England. In the early 1800s, the National Swimming Society of England hosted swimming competitions in several swimming pools in London. During this period, the new sport steadily grew in popularity, and swimming pools increased in number. In 1880, the Amateur Swimming Association of Great Britain was formed by more than 300 participating clubs. By 1896, swimming had become an internationally known sport. It was one of the pioneering games in the modern Olympics. Men competed in 100 meter and 1.5 kilometer swimming competitions in open water. Women debuted in Olympic swimming in 1912.http://www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-swimming.htm In 2008, 34 Olympic golds were awarded in Swimming, not counting Synchronized Swimming and Water Polo.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/swimming/default.stm

There are four basic strokes associated with swimming. The first stroke popularized was the breaststroke followed by the butterfly stroke. The backstroke and the front crawl, also known as the Freestyle, are variations of the breaststroke.

• Swimming is easier on the bodyWebMD: Fitness Basics: Swimming Is for Everyone
• Works all the major muscle groupsWebMD: Fitness Basics: Swimming Is for Everyone
• Water has 12 times the resistance of airWebMD: Fitness Basics: Swimming Is for Everyone

• Drowning
• Infection
• Exposure to chemicalsEnvironmental Protection Agency: Swimming Pool Chemicals, Chlorine
• Infants who take swimming lessons are at risk of developing lung problems from chlorine exposureMedicineNet.com: Infant Swimming: Chlorine Lung Risk?

• Google Blog Search: Swimming

• Forum: Swimming Forums

• USMS: Discussion Forums

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