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.
Splitting skin on the bottom of your toes after swimming can be bothersome, especially if it is painful. It can be caused by many factors, infections and conditions, some that require the attention of a doctor.
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When landlocked friends hear you are performing sculling drills they might question the activity, but fellow swimmers know that you are improving your strength and efficiency in the water.
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After exercising, you are supposed to feel great emotionally, for having completed the task, and physically, as your body releases endorphins. However, many athletes complain of a side effect from working out that can be bothersome -- an odd taste in the mouth.
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As refreshing as a dip in the pool may seem, when you're under the weather, you might be better off staying on dry land. Not only can too much exertion slow down your recovery, but staying away from the pool may spare others from catching your bug.
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Swimming requires both muscular strength and endurance. While endurance is the ability of the muscles to perform repeated submaximal contractions over time, strength is the amount of force that your muscles are able to produce.
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Swim trunks for men look like shorts but are made specifically for wearing in the water. Different styles of trunks have certain features, but mostly they are designed to be comfortable while swimming. Most, but not all, men's swim trunks contain a net lining that adds to the comfort factor.
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You often don't know what to expect when you dip your toe into a new pool. It can feel like anything from ice water to bath water, and anywhere in between. Competitive pools, on the other hand, have strict rules regarding their temperature.
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Spend a day at the pool or an hour swimming laps and you feel spent. Water-related tiredness often occurs after a water workout or time passed splashing away in the summer sun. Many reasons exist as to why the body experiences weariness after swimming, everything from aerobic fatigue to water temperature.
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A burst or perforated eardrum may occur following an infection, injury or explosion and can cause temporary hearing loss, nausea and discharge. Most perforations heal in two to three weeks without treatment, but some may linger for longer periods or require surgical correction.
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Your skin is the barrier between your body and the outside world. It is subject to attack by bacteria, irritants and parasites as well as fungal infections and viruses. Internal conditions, particularly autoimmune diseases, can affect the skin as well. According to the "Cecil Textbook of Medicine,"
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Swimming is fun, and it provides a multitude of mental and physical benefits. Swimming is the second most popular sport in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Kids love to swim at the pool or the beach but this healthful activity is not just for children.
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The front crawl, or freestyle stroke, is an efficient, popular stroke that swimmers use for racing, fitness and recreation. USA Swimming defines this stroke as "alternate stroking of the arms over the surface of the water surface and an alternating (up-and-down) flutter kick."
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Swimming is a demanding cardiovascular activity that burns a high number of calories. Half an hour of vigorous lap swimming burns between 300 and 444 calories, while crawl and butterfly can burn close on 500 calories in the same amount of time.
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Chlorine is a yellow-green gas with a strong odor that ranks among the top 10 most common chemicals produced in the United States, as of 2011. Used during World War I as a chemical weapon, today its uses include disinfecting everything from tap water to industrial waste and sewage.
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Buildup of water in the lungs can have fatal consequences if not recognized and treated immediately. Typically, fluid in the lungs stems from physiological causes, such as pulmonary edema, but it is possible to accumulate water in the lungs from swimming.
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Feeling dizzy after you swim can hamper your plans and lead you to avoid swimming altogether. Most of the time, dizziness after swimming is mild and short-lived and not a cause for medical concern. Prevent or treat dizziness after swimming by making dietary changes and altering your swimming style.
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Knowing how to float in the water for long periods of time could save your life in an emergency. Although you often see swimmers floating on their backs, this is just one of many possible positions. Relaxing and staying motionless help you float more easily, regardless of the position.
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Sometimes the best part of a workout is winding down afterward. Warming up slowly when you get in the pool lets you ease into an intense workout, and cooling down lets you ease back out. During moderate aerobic exercise, your heart pumps faster and your circulation increases.
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Swimming requires your arms and legs to remain in motion in order to stay afloat and propel yourself backward or forward. There are four fundamental strokes in swimming, all of which use the arms in a different manner. The legs, for the most part, perform the same action when swimming.
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Swimming and running are both endurance exercises that give your cardiovascular system a challenging workout. If burning calories is your goal, both modes can do the trick. But the total amount of calories burned depends on the intensity and duration of your workout sessions, and the efficiency of your movement.
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