How Math Is Involved With The Sport Of Competitive Swimming

Competitive swimming began in the late nineteenth century. It is a popular leisure activity that is a major competition sport in many countries. Since the time of competitive swimming, it has been using some sort of mathematics. Mathematics is essential and involved with the sport of swimming by pool measurements, training and stroke technique Pool measurements are a main part of how mathematics is involved with the sport of swimming. In swimming there are three different distances that pools can be; they are called short course yards, short course meters and long course meters. A pool width of between four and 10 lanes is normal (Copyright Diagram Group). An overall depth of 2 m. (6ft, 7in.) throughout the course length is recommended (Copyright

Competitive swimming requires muscle power which is developed through training. Power combines strength with speed of motion (Hardman, Lizabeth 32). It means not only moving a weight, but also moving it quickly (Hardman, Lizabeth 32). Swimmers need power to pull themselves through the water, to have quick flip turns and to get off the starting blocks quickly. Mathematics is related to this part of swimming because of the mathematical equation called the Force-Velocity Relationship. The equation is power equals force times distance divided by time. In this equation, force is the amount of effort used to move the weight (Hardman, Lizabeth 33). Distance is how far the weight is being moved, and time is the length of time it takes the athlete to move the weight over the distance (Hardman, Lizabeth 33). The point of the concept of training is so the swimmer can improve his power to swim

The use of arms and legs help propel the swimmer through the water (Greenwald, Sarah J and Jill E. Thomley 140). There are four main kinds of swimming strokes, or styles, used in swimming, particularly completive swimming: the front crawl, or freestyle; the breaststroke; the backstroke; and the butterfly (Hardman, Lizabeth 10). Freestyle involves mathematics by arm movements. Freestyle typically uses the timing of the 90 degree angle. This form is used to catch enough water to pull forward and go further at a faster rate ("Swimming's Related To Math?"). In backstroke we count strokes. There are flags near the ends of competition pools so that in the backstroke race, the swimmers can start counting the strokes they need before they have to flip-turn ("Swimming's Related To Math?"). The flags are 5 yards from the end of the pool. Butterfly swimmers use symmetry. To swim butterfly you throw both arms over the water in the front of your shoulders. To swim more efficiently a symmetrical stroke is necessary for the pull to be equal on both sides to push away the same amount of water and get further ("Swimming's Related To Math?"). Swimmers us all types of angle measurements while swimming to improve their stroke