Swimming a two-minute 100 m could be the best of times or the worst of times. You might start out as a beginning adult swimmer, just grateful to complete the distance without stopping. With improved technique and endurance, your swim times improve, along with your dissatisfaction for your previous performance.

Having a sore stomach following a swim can be caused by a variety of issues, so it’s important to determine the source for proper healing and future prevention. Each swim session may be triggering pain, but it’s unlikely that swimming will cause serious injury to your organs.

There are several million cases of strep-related diseases including impetigo each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of these cases occur in children, which may make it difficult for active youngsters who are told they can’t go swimming or pursue other activities during an outbreak.

Using a kickboard in your swimming practice allows you to isolate your legs and develop a stronger and more effective kick. As a strengthening benefit, kickboards also help you to develop muscle in your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves.

People who swim regularly may experience a bout or two of swimmer’s ear during the summer months. Swimmer’s ear causes significant ear pain, especially when you yawn or swallow. The swelling that accompanies the infection can also interfere with hearing.

While the intrauterine device, or IUD, may have more upfront costs than other forms of birth control, the less than 1percent failure rate and five- to 10-year effectiveness makes it an appealing option for many women.

If you think whey protein powder only benefits bodybuilders and weight lifters, think again. Athletes who participate in endurance sports, including swimmers, tend to focus on carbohydrates and pay little attention to protein. However, it is essential that hard-training swimmers consume an adequate amount of protein.

Swimming is an activity that can aid weight loss. The U.S. Masters Swimming website notes that swimming has the added benefit of providing a total cardiovascular workout.

Diseases that affect the skin can be of concern to both affected swimmers and those who have to share pools with them. Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection that causes bumps to appear on the body. They are usually flesh colored, and may occur in groups or singly.

Swimming after childbirth helps you lose weight and restore muscle tone. It also boosts your strength and energy, which may be sapped after your pregnancy and delivery. Swimming is particularly beneficial because it works your upper and lower body and your core.

Unlike chlorinated pools that use chlorine tablets to keep the water clean, saltwater pools use dissolved salt and a chlorinator unit. As a result, saltwater pools usually contain fewer chemicals than chlorinated ones.

The breaststroke is a type of swimming style. The style requires coordination and timing between the muscles of the upper body and lower body.