By MADELYNNE GATES
Student contributor
Swimming can be a solo or team sport. It requires you to move your body through water. Most times if you are swimming competitively it is in a pool.
There are many types and styles of swimming: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, etc. The oldest stroke is breaststroke.
A majority of the nation is unable to swim. It is said that about four billion people do not know how. About 54% of Americans can not swim.
There are several benefits to swimming. When you are swimming, you are using your whole body. Swimmers use almost every muscle while practicing swimming. This helps build muscle endurance and strength. It can also impact your mental health. Swimming can help improve stress levels. It helps maintain a healthy weight and healthy heart and lungs. When swimming you are improving your flexibility. Swimming burns about 40% more calories than biking and 30% more than running.
The average high school swimmer swims 1 million strokes per season. A competitive swimmer averages about six to twelve miles per day. Most swimmers will sweat underwater.
If you are thinking about getting serious with swimming, consider joining your community YMCA for weekly lessons.
Madelynne Gates is a student at Oil City High School and a member of the school’s Oiler News staff.
