Swimming Skills: Faster Breaststroke, Cardio and Health Benefits

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.

History of Swimming Strokes

Published Jul,08 2011 | By Michelle Wishhart

Swimming is an ancient sport that has long promoted survival, health and recreation. It skyrocketed in popularity in the early 1900s thanks to the competitions held by the National Swimming Society of Great Britain. By then, four particular strokes were already well known to most of the competitors.

Michelle Wishhart is a writer based in Portland, Ore. She has been writing professionally since 2005, starting with her position as a staff arts writer for City on a Hill Press, an alternative weekly newspaper in Santa Cruz, Calif. An avid gardener, Wishhart worked as a Wholesale Nursery Grower at Encinal Nursery for two years. Wishhart holds a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts and English literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz.