Swimming movement of the body through water by humans and animals. Although swimming involves some risk there is also extremely healthy benefits to this activity.

Due to the human body being comprised of about 70% water, swimming requires a slight propelling of water downward relative to the body. This propelling is achieved throught the movement of hand and forearms as paddles and kicking the legs. Many strokes have been developed over the years and are now use din competitive swimming.

The four most competitive strokes are butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.

Swimming is a great form of aerobic exercise, which requires a constant supply of oxygen to the muslces and sometimes during shorts sprints requires anaerobic exercise. Swimming exercises all muscles of the body, but especially the legs and arms.

Risks of swimming

There are many risks involved in swimming. Below is a description of some of the following risks involved in swimming.

Drowning

• Inhalation or swallowing water, which restricts breathing and kills a person.

Adverse affects of Immersion

• Secondary Drowning, which results from foam being created in the lungs from inhaling salt water.
• Heart stopping from thermal shock from jumping in the water.

Exposure to chemicals

• Chlorine in the eyes, Chlorine inhalation

Infection from water

• Includes fungi, parasites, bacteria and other water born viruses. Also ear infections and athletes foot are common.

Dangerous Aquatic life can also cause serious injury and risk to swimmers

• Such aquatic life includes jellyfish, corals, stingrays, sharks, electric eels.

Adverse water conditions or weather

• Such conditions or weather can be fatal and can harm or kill swimmers. They include wind, waves, rip tides, and currents can all move swimmers from a safe swimming environment.