Editing Swimming (section)

==Purpose==
There are many reasons why people swim, from a recreational pursuit to swimming as a necessary part of a job or other activity. Swimming may also be used to rehabilitate injuries, especially various cardiovascular and muscle injuries. Professional opportunities in swimming range from competitive sports to coaching, lifeguarding, and working in aquatic therapy. Some may be gifted and choose to compete professionally and go on to claim fame.

===Recreation===
[[File:Children's bathing beach, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois, 1905.jpg|thumb|Children's bathing beach, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 1905]]
Many swimmers swim for recreation, with swimming consistently ranking as one of the physical activities people are most likely to participate in. Recreational swimming can also be used for exercise, relaxation, or rehabilitation.<ref>{{cite book|last=Katz|first=Jane|title=Your Water Workout|publisher=Broadway Books|year=2003|edition=First|isbn=978-0-7679-1482-6}}</ref>  The support of the water and the reduction in impact make swimming accessible for people unable to undertake activities such as running. Swimming is one of the most relaxing activities, and water is known to calm us and help reduce stress.

===Health===
[[File:Chuck_Sketch,_a_Wounded_Warrior_with_the_veteran_swim_team,_swims_laps_during_a_practice_session_120214-M-YO938-177.jpg|thumb|Chuck Sketch, a former U.S. Marine and a Wounded Warrior with the veteran swim team, swims laps during a practice session at the 2012 Marine Corps Trials at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]], California, February 14, 2012. Wounded Warriors, veterans, and allies competed in the second annual trials, which included swimming.]]
Swimming is primarily a [[Aerobic exercise|cardiovascular/aerobic exercise]]<ref>{{cite book |last= Cooper |first= Kenneth H. |title= Aerobics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_k-TTEFQTkkC |edition= revised, reissue |year= 1983 |orig-year= 1968 |publisher= [[Bantam Books]] |isbn= 978-0553274479}}</ref> due to the long exercise time, requiring a constant oxygen supply, except for short sprints where the muscles work anaerobically. Furthermore, swimming can help tone and strengthen muscles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/swimming-health-benefits|title=Swimming - health benefits|last=Services|first=Department of Health & Human|access-date=2018-09-11|language=en}}</ref> Regular swimming can help in weight management and contribute to maintaining a healthy body weight. (Robinson 2022) Swimming allows sufferers of [[arthritis]] to exercise affected joints without worsening their symptoms. Swimming is often recommended for individuals with joint conditions or injuries, as the [[buoyancy]] of water reduces stress on the joints. However, swimmers with arthritis may wish to avoid swimming breaststroke, as improper technique can exacerbate arthritic knee pain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yourswimlog.com/how-to-fix-and-prevent-breaststrokers-knee/|title=How to Fix and Prevent Breaststroker's Knee|date=2016-09-03|website=YourSwimLog.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-16}}</ref> As with most aerobic exercise, swimming reduces the harmful effects of stress. Swimming also improves health for people with cardiovascular problems and chronic illnesses. It is proven to impact the mental health of pregnant women and mothers positively. Swimming can even improve mood.<ref>{{Cite web|title = CDC - Health Benefits of Water-based Exercise - Healthy Swimming & Recreational Water - Healthy Water|url = https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/health_benefits_water_exercise.html|website = www.cdc.gov|access-date = 2015-10-01}}</ref> Although many forms of physical activity have been shown to improve [[bone density]] and health, this is where swimming has its downfalls. Due to the low-impact nature of the sport, studies have demonstrated that bone mass acquisition will be negatively impacted, which could be an issue for adolescent athletes in particular.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Seabra|first1=André|last2=Fernandes|first2=Ricardo J.|last3=Marques|first3=Elisa|last4=Moura|first4=Miguel|last5=Ubago-Guisado|first5=Esther|last6=Hernando|first6=Enrique|last7=Gallardo|first7=Leonor|date=2017-12-28|title=Impact of Futsal and Swimming Participation on Bone Health in Young Athletes|journal=Journal of Human Kinetics|language=en|volume=60|issue=1|pages=85–91|doi=10.1515/hukin-2017-0092|pmid=29339988|pmc=5765788|doi-access=free}}</ref> A 2025 study found that swimming outdoors is associated with greater levels of [[well-being]]. However, 'wild swimming' or [[open water swimming]], where swimming takes place in rivers, lakes or the sea, has been found to be associated with higher well-being than swimming in outdoor pools.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Groeneveld, W.)), ((Krainz, M.)), ((White, M. P.)), ((Heske, A.)), ((Elliott, L. R.)), ((Bratman, G. N.)), ((Fleming, L. E.)), ((Grellier, J.)), ((McDougall, C. W.)), ((Nieuwenhuijsen, M.)), ((Ojala, A.)), ((Pahl, S.)), ((Roiko, A.)), ((Bosch, M. van den)), ((Wheeler, B. W.)) | journal=Journal of Environmental Psychology | title=The psychological benefits of open-water (wild) swimming: Exploring a self-determination approach using a 19-country sample | volume=102 | pages=102558 | date=1 March 2025 | issn=0272-4944 | doi=10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102558| doi-access=free }}</ref> 

====Disabled swimmers====
Since 2010, the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]] has required that [[swimming pool]]s in the United States be accessible to disabled swimmers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-05-24|title=ADA Requirements: Accessible Pools Means of Entry and Exit|url=https://www.ada.gov/pools_2010.htm|access-date=2021-11-14|website=www.ada.gov}}</ref>

====Elderly swimmers====
"Water-based exercise can benefit older adults by improving quality of life and decreasing disability. It also improves or maintains the bone health of post-menopausal women."<ref>{{cite web|title=Health Benefits of Water-based Exercise|url=https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/health_benefits_water_exercise.html|website=CDC.gov|publisher=United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|access-date=15 July 2015}}</ref>
Swimming is an ideal workout for the elderly, as it is a low-impact sport with very little risk of injury. Exercise in the water works out all muscle groups, helping with conditions such as muscular dystrophy which is common in seniors. It is also a common way to relieve pain from arthritis.

===Sport===
{{Main article|Swimming (sport)}}
[[File:Depart4x100.jpg|thumb|Start of the 4 × 100&nbsp;meters men's relay during the [[Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Summer Olympics]] in [[Beijing]]]]
Swimming as a sport predominantly involves participants competing to be the fastest over a given distance in a certain period of time.  Competitors swim different distances in different levels of competition. For example, swimming has been an [[Olympic Swimming|Olympic sport]] since 1896, and the current program includes events from 50 m to 1500 m in length, across all four main strokes and medley.  During the season competitive swimmers typically train multiple times per day and week to increase endurance, strength, and preserve fitness. Furthermore when the cycle of work is completed swimmers go through a stage called taper where intensity is reduced in preparation for competition season. During taper, focus is on power and water feel.

The sport is governed internationally by [[World Aquatics]], formerly known as FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) before it adopted its current name in December 2022. World Aquatics recognizes competitions of the 25 meter and 50 meter pools for International Competitions. In the United States, a pool of 25 yards in length is commonly used for competition, especially in the College Level. 

Other swimming and water-related sporting disciplines include [[open water swimming]], [[Diving (sport)|diving]], [[synchronized swimming]], [[water polo]], [[triathlon]], and the [[modern pentathlon]].

===Safety===
{{Main article|Drowning}}
To prioritize safety when swimming, swimmers can ensure that there are certified lifeguards present, swimming in designated areas, and being aware of potential hazards such as currents and underwater obstacles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beach Safety Tips |url=https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/beach-safety.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=www.redcross.org |language=en}}</ref> 

As a popular leisure activity done all over the world, one of the primary risks of swimming is [[drowning]]. Drowning may occur from a variety of factors, from swimming fatigue to simply inexperience in the water. From 2005 to 2014, an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings occurred in the United States, approximating 10 deaths a day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html|title=Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts &#124; Home and Recreational Safety &#124; CDC Injury Center|date=October 7, 2020|website=www.cdc.gov}}</ref>

To minimize the risk and prevent potential drownings from occurring, [[lifeguards]] are often employed to supervise swimming locations such as public pools, waterparks, lakes and beaches. Different lifeguards receive different training depending on the sites that they are employed at; i.e. a waterfront lifeguard receives more rigorous training than a poolside lifeguard. Well-known aquatic training services include the [https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/home.aspx National Lifesaving Society] and the [[Canadian Red Cross]], which specialize in training lifeguards in North America. 

Learning basic water safety skills, such as swimming with a buddy and knowing how to respond to emergencies, is essential for swimmers of all levels.

===Occupation===
Some occupations require workers to swim, such as [[abalone]] and [[pearl]] diving, and [[spearfishing]].

Swimming is used to rescue people in the water who are in distress, including exhausted swimmers, non-swimmers who have accidentally entered the water, and others who have come to harm on the water. [[Lifeguard]]s or volunteer [[lifesaving|lifesavers]] are deployed at many pools and beaches worldwide to fulfil this purpose, and they, as well as [[rescue swimmer]]s, may use specific [[List of swimming styles|swimming styles]] for rescue purposes.

Swimming is also used in [[marine biology]] to observe plants and animals in their natural habitat. Other sciences use swimming; for example, [[Konrad Lorenz]] swam with geese as part of his studies of [[Ethology|animal behavior]].

Swimming also has military purposes. Military swimming is usually done by special operation forces, such as [[Navy SEALs]] and [[US Army Special Forces]]. Swimming is used to approach a location, gather intelligence, engage in sabotage or combat, and subsequently depart. This may also include airborne insertion into water or exiting a submarine while it is submerged. Due to regular exposure to large bodies of water, all recruits in the [[United States Navy]], [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], and [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] are required to complete basic swimming or water survival training.

Swimming is also a professional sport. Companies sponsor swimmers who have the skills to compete at the international level. Many swimmers compete competitively to represent their home countries in the [[Olympic Games|Olympics]]. Professional swimmers may also earn a living as entertainers, performing in [[synchronized swimming|water ballet]]s.

=== Locomotion ===
Locomotion by swimming over brief distances is frequent when alternatives are precluded. There have been cases of political refugees swimming in the Baltic Sea<ref>{{cite web |title=Top athlete escaped the GDR using his aquatic talents |url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4862742,00.html |publisher=Dw-world.de}}</ref> and of people jumping in the water and swimming ashore from vessels not intended to reach land where they planned to go.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chronology of Albanian Immigration to Italy |url=http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/italians/resources/Amiciprize/1998/Chronology.html |publisher=Ccat.sas.upenn.edu}}</ref>