The Physics of Swimming

CHAPTER 4
• Drag Propulsion

• Drag propulsion is based on one of Isaac Newton’s three laws of motion: the Law of
Action and Reaction. This law states that for every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction. An example of the law of action and reaction is the backward push
of a paddle blade moving a canoe forward. This pushing motion is referred to as
drag, or paddle, propulsion. In swimming, the limbs act as paddle, propulsion. In
swimming, the limbs act as paddles to push water backward and move swimmers
forward. A swimmer’s hands and forearms should be facing towards the feet in order
to crate the greatest drag propulsive force.

• Lift Propulsion

• While drag propulsion plays the dominant role in forward movement, lift propulsive
forces help in overall propulsion. The basic principle behind lift propulsion as it
relates to swimming is that as fluid moves around an object, the individual particles
within the fluid speed up or slow down to stay parallel with the particles on either
side of the object. The faster moving particles tend to lift the object as they try to
remain parallel with the slower moving particles on the other side of the object. Lift
propulsion is the natural result of several movements involved in swimming.

• Sculling is an example of how certain movements of the arms and hands can
manipulate the flow of water to achieve lift. When sculling, swimmers keep the hands
pitched at a slight angle and press them toward the body. During this motion, the
water that passes over the top of the hand must cover a greater distance than the
water on the other side of the hand. As a result, the water flowing over the top of the
hand speeds up to remain parallel with the slower moving water on the other
side.

Lift propulsion an also take place when the hands and feet move outward away from
the body and then the back up toward the body. Movement of the arms throughout the
water when the hands are positioned with palms facing back at a slight tilt toward the
feet results in lift propulsion as well.

• Swimming Efficiency
• Isaac Newton’s two other laws of motion are the Law of Inertia and the Law of
Acceleration. These are also important for swimming efficiently.
• Experimenting with these laws can help demonstrate how each law works and how
they interact as the body moves through water.

• Law of Inertia

• The law of Inertia states three things. An external force is needed to get body at
rest to begin a movement. An external force is needed to stop a moving body. An
external force is needed to change the direction of a moving body. The three parts
of this law affect swimming in the following ways:

• 1. An external force is needed to get a body at rest to begin movement.

• Swimmers need more energy to start a stroke than they do to maintain a stroke. This
is why it is more efficient for swimmers to keep moving forward rather than starting
and stopping repeatedly strokes, like front craw land back crawl, are most efficient
because they involve continuous motion.

• However, it is impossible to keep moving the arms as fast as possible for an extended
period. Inertia allows a swimmer who is underway to rest and still keep moving
forward during the glide portion of other strokes, like breast stroke and elementary
backstroke. However, if the glide is too long, a swimmer could slow down too much,
requiring more work to start the next stroke. Swimmers must find a balance
between continuous arm movements and glides to manage their energy.

• 2. An external force is needed to stop moving body.

• The water is an external force that can stop a moving body. Swimmers need less force
to keep moving when they are in streamlined position than they do in other positions
that create more drag.

• 3. An external force is needed to change the direction of a moving body.

• Inertia keeps swimmers moving in the same direction. To change the direction of
travel, swimmers must apply force to change the direction of their bodies. As speed
increases, more and more force needed to change direction. Incorrect body position
and/or improper stroke mechanics can act as an external force on a moving body,
causing the body to change direction unnecessarily. This is one of the reasons why
beginning swimmers often have difficulty swimming in a straight line and sometimes
fail to reach their desired direction.
• Law of Acceleration

• The Law of Acceleration states that the change in speed of an object depends on the
amount of force applied to it and the direction of that force. This law relates to
swimming in two ways.

First
• The more force swimmers apply when pushing water back, the faster they will swim.

Second
• Concentrating all propulsive force in one single direction and maintaining
direction make swimming more efficient. Incorrect body position and/or improper
stroke mechanics can direct propulsion away from a swimmer’s intended direction. If
forces are applied away from a swimmer’s intended direction, the body will be
pushed off course and additional forces are necessary to readjust body motion and
get back on track.

• Law of Levers

• Applying the law of levers has helped researchers analyze strokes to find the best
limb positions and motions for effective swimming. A lever consist of a pivot point
and one or two rigid parts called arms. A common example of a lever is a seesaw.

• The pivot point is in the center, and the arms extend on each side. The weights of two
children riding the seesaw are the forces acting on the lever. The law of levers states
that the product of the force and force arm is equal to the product of the resistance and
resistance arms.

• The Law of Levers includes these four components:

• a. Force applied (the weight of the first child)

• b. Resistance encountered (the weight of the second child)
• c. force arm (the distance between the first child and the pivot point)
• d. Resistance arm (the distance between the second child and the pivot point)

• The Law of the Levers suggest that to be most effective, forces of propulsion should
be applied close to the body. This is why arm strokes are more efficient and provide
better propulsion when the hands and wrists stay close to the body as opposed to
 going out to the sides or down deep in the water. During the front crawl, the am acts
as a level with the shoulder as the pivot point.

• The shoulder muscles are the applied force and the length of bone between the
shoulder and muscle attachment is the force arm. Encountered resistance is water
resistance against the arm. The resistance arm is the distance from the shoulder point
to the middle of the forearm. In the front crawl, bending the elbow during the pull
shortens the resistance arm, reducing the force needed to propel the swimmer
forward.
• (Bending the elbow during the arm stroke involves more muscles, which maximizes
the swimmer’s strength.) Practically speaking, the bend of the elbow used during the
pull effectively brings the hand close to the chest. Without the bend, the elbow would
be straighter, and the hand would go deep in the water, resulting in less efficient
application of propulsion.

• Effective arm strokes used in the back crawl, breast stroke and butterfly also keep the
hand from going too deep or wide. Similarly, the kicks for each stroke should be kept
close to the centerline of the body, rather than going out too wide. The kicks should
also be horizontal to the body, rather than going too deep in the water. The Law of
Levers also explains why bending the arms while treading water provides more
upward force than straight arms.
• Applying the law of levers has helped swimming researches analyze all types of
strokes to find the best limb positions and motions for each.

• Basic Aquatic Skills

• By learning basic aquatic skills, people gain the skills necessary to float and move
around in the water as well as the ability to safely enter and adjust to the water. In an
emergency, these skills can save a life! Basic aquatic skills are also the building
blocks for learning strokes that are more advanced. Mastering safety skills, like
floating, changing directions and breath control, is necessary before learning
advanced strokes, such as the front crawl or the breaststroke.

• Starting with basic skills for entering the water, this chapter outlines the aquatic skills
necessary to remain safe and feel comfortable and confident in the water. All the
steps involved in each of these skills are clearly out and important survival and safety
skills are also identified.
• Physical and Mental Adjustment

• Anyone entering the water needs to take time to get used to the water both
physically and mentally. Most aquatic environments are much cooler than bath water.
Even relatively warm pool water (83 deg.to 86 deg. Fahrenheit) may feel cool and
cause breathing to quick. In water up to the neck, the temperature and added
pressure of the water around the chest may even make breathing seem strenuous.
When breathing speeds up, it becomes hard to relax. Rapid breathing may also
increase anxiety in fearful or novice swimmers, making it even more difficult to adjust
to the water.

• Physical adjustments to the water involve gradually getting used to the water
temperature and the effects of buoyancy. Mental adjustments involve taking efforts
to remain relaxed and control breathing. Once a swimmer becomes comfortable in
the water, these effects may no longer be noticeable.

• Adjusting to the Water Temperature

• Getting wet gradually will help the body get used to the cooler water temperature.
• Accomplish this by:
• a. Entering on the steps, ramp or slope until thigh deep and scooping water onto
arms, chest neck and face.
• b. Sitting on the edge of the pool and scooping water onto the body.

• Relaxation

• Many inexperienced swimmers feel afraid around the water and are often
apprehensive about entering it. Relaxation is the key to mentally adjusting to an
aquatic environment, and learning to control breathing helps people relax. Cold or
nervous swimmers should practice breath control before entering the water.
Swimmers practice breath control by:

• a. Breathing in and out slowly and deeply while sitting on the edge of the pool.
• b. taking a deep breath, holding it for a couple of seconds then slowly exhaling.

Enumerate the different laws that was used in different strokes.

1. Freestyle – Law of Acceleration and Inertia
2. Butterfly Stroke – Law of Levers

3. Backstroke – Law of Inertia and Law of Levers

4. Diving- Law of Acceleration

5. Breaststroke – Law of Inertia