Swimming the breaststroke and backstroke efficiently depends on specific muscle engagement and stroke technique. Learn about the cardio benefits of lap swimming and the essential rules to avoid disqualification.
When winter hits, many people in the northern latitudes like to escape to warmer climates. Among them are the islands of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas. While the Bahamas is somewhat colder than during the summer, as it is still above the equator, the water remains relatively warm even during February.
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When you're getting ready to hit the pool with your not-yet-potty-trained little one, finding that you forgot to pack the swim diapers creates a dilemma. You might consider putting on a regular diaper and hoping for the best. But pools insist on swim diapers for both safety and sanitary reasons.
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Preparation will help make your infant's swim class a positive experience. Determine that he is ready for swimming lessons before registering for classes, and in the days and weeks before lessons begin, help your baby learn to enjoy the water and encourage him to feel comfortable in the swimming pool.
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As with all chemically treated hair, permed hair must be treated with care to maintain a healthy look. The hair shaft is left more vulnerable to moisture after being permed, because the chemicals used in the process open up the cuticle. Permed hair therefore requires a resting period to strengthen up again.
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If you're a water polo enthusiast or need to swim effectively without submerging your face, swimming with your head up is essential. It lets you remain aware of your position and the goal while you swim.
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Swimming laps and walking are both common forms of exercise used to burn calories, increase stamina and improve respiratory and cardiovascular fitness. Each activity has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some exercisers prefer one of them to the other, while many incorporate both into their workout routines.
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Swimming laps with a snorkel mask may sound like something only a diver pining for Caribbean reefs would undertake.
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Let’s say you decide to take a swim. In the early morning light, armed with fresh new goggles and a cap, you hit the pool. Images of Michael Phelps and Dara Torres run through your head. But before you finish the first lap, you can hardly breathe.
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In competitions and other events, swimmers must be aware of their surroundings and keep track of their progress through the water. To help guide swimmers, many pools come equipped with specific markings. These marks help swimmers stay in their lanes and also let them know when they're reaching the end of the pool.
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Female swimmers typically have a muscular body type with a broad back and strong shoulders. This body type is advantageous for swimming. However, during the off season, many female swimmers slim down, desiring not to maintain a muscular physique.
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Swimming is good exercise, but it doesn't always come naturally. You may want to improve your long-distance swimming ability if you're training for a triathalon or other competition. Because swimming puts less strain on your joints, you may just want to swim longer distances to improve your health.
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Croup is a common children’s ailment that occurs when swelling develops around the trachea and vocal chords. One of the most noticeable symptoms of croup is the loud, harsh barking sound that occurs when your child coughs or attempts to breathe normally.
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Part of getting the most out of swimming is having full knowledge of water safety, which includes proper procedures for inclement weather, especially during rain and storms. The National Lightning Safety Institute’s safety slogan regarding swimming during storms is, "
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Your energy needs decrease during a swim taper -- the period before a key meet in which you drop off training significantly to give your body a rest. The result of a taper is stronger, refreshed muscles and a boost in cardiovascular performance for competition.
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Swimmers sometimes debate the importance of legs versus arms in swimming but neglect the significance of what connects the limbs together. Your core or trunk generates the lift and speed that distinguishes an elite swimmer from an average one.
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Of the four competition strokes in swimming -- backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle -- breaststroke is the slowest. For example, the world record for the men's 100-meter breaststroke is just 58.46, while the world record for the men's 100-meter freestyle is 46.9.
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Like every sport, swimming follows a strict set of rules to ensure competitive balance and to protect the safety of its athletes. Any swimmer who violates the rules may suffer an immediate disqualification. The exact reasons for disqualification may vary depending on the race's precise swimming stroke or style.
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Bacterial, viral, algal and protozoan infections are common after exposure to contaminated water. Swimming in ponds, lakes and oceans that are near developed areas may increase your risk of exposure to waste-water contamination if the areas have inadequate or overburdened sewage or waste-water treatment facilities.
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A cardiovascular activity, swimming works every major muscle group in the body and strengthens your heart and lungs. As with most cardiovascular exercises, you can perform it at least three times weekly to build stamina, tone muscles and lose weight.
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Even though ear tubes reduce the risk of ear infection under general circumstances, a child with ear tubes in place faces a greater risk of infection if she goes swimming.
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