fastswimming

Fast swimming is rapid movement through water by organisms, most commonly humans in competitive events. In humans, performances are measured in pools over distances from 50 to 1500 meters, using four strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Mechanics: Propulsion comes from coordinated arm strokes and leg kicks while maintaining a streamlined body to reduce drag. Stroke styles differ: freestyle and backstroke use alternating arm pulls with flutter kicks; butterfly uses a simultaneous arm pull with a dolphin kick; breaststroke combines a whip-like kick with a glide. Starts, turns, and finishes significantly affect speed.

Physics: Water offers high resistance; speed is governed by propulsion relative to drag. Efficiency increases with better technique, optimal timing, and reduced wave drag. Training aims to maximize thrust while maintaining buoyancy and body alignment.

Performance and records: Long course (50 m) and short course (25 m) events track elite times, with records evolving as training, technique, and pool design improve. Technology and regulations influence equipment and swimsuits, though modern rules limit certain advances to keep competition fair.

Biology and applications: Beyond sport, fast swimming informs studies of fluid dynamics, biomechanics, and robotics, and offers insight into how different organisms optimize propulsion and minimize energy cost in aquatic locomotion.