- 24 Oct 2004, 13:03
#151
Yes sport is definitely important. For obvious reasons of health as well as general reasons of well being.
As far as swimming is concerned, find below some interesting information about developing the swimming technique: -
The human body, being composed mostly of water, has nearly the same density as water. Thus, staying afloat requires only a slight propelling of water downward relative to the body, and transverse motion only a slight propelling of water in a direction opposite to the direction of motion, due to generally low hydrodynamic drag. This propelling is typically accomplished by cupping the hands and using them as paddles, and by kicking the legs to push water away from the body.
With practice, technique can convert a slow or average swimmer to at least a moderately fast swimmer. Since speed converts directly into distance, the same techniques that improve speed also aid one to move farther with the same effort.
The torso and the legs should be kept as much as possible parallel to the surface of the water. Drooped legs or a slanted torso dramatically increase drag.
Try to have a pointed hand above the head, pointed forward as much as possible. This increases the average length at the water-line, substantially increasing speed. This is an effect long used by boat designers, and unconsciously used by "naturally good swimmers."
Try to maximize the time spent on the side because the torso is smaller front-to-back than side-to-side on most swimmers. This reduces the frontal cross-section, reducing drag further, and also increasing the ratio between the bodies water-line-length and width. Similar improvements are possible by orienting the narrowest direction of head, hands, legs and arms into the water. The torso is by far the most critical.
The motion of the hand, arm, and leg from back to the front should be in the air as much as possible, and in the water, oriented as perfectly as possible, because the returning appendage has to move at least twice as fast as the swimmer, and in the water generates eight times the drag (drag increases with the cube of the speed) of an equal amount of torso frontal area.
The basic "catch" of the water is not nearly as critical as the above items. Most swimmers simply grab water with their hand flat, or the fingers slightly spread, and then draw it smoothly down their body.
Note that none of the above techniques require improved strength. With strength training, the hands and feet can be extended further into the water, gaining more propulsion. For improvers, increased strength brings only small improvements if the above strategies (minimise drag and lengthen water-line) are not optimal.
A number of swimming styles have been developed based on the implementation of some or all of these principles.
Eternal-jihad raised an important point. That most swimming places (be it beaches or swimming clubs) have a mixed swimming crowd. How do we go around this problem? Keep Smiling, I didnt know there were swimming classes for both boys and girls...where are they held and how can one register?
Tayyaba...yes, it is true that women unfortunately do not get as many opportunities as men do as far as sport is concerned. I feel that we can actually do something about it. With boarding house at our disposal, if the women come together, and demand a period of time during every week, when only women should be allowed to use the facilities...all facilities including squash :) and other games, it may work out.
A question for all ...what do you feel about the competition element in sports?
Watch 'The Mukhtar Narrative / Mukhtar Nama' on Ask - a series narrating Mukhtar al-Thaqafi's revenge for Karbala.
)....and many more...
. I think it's our communitie's duties to place more emphasis on women's sports and also it is partially up to the older generation of parents to adopt and tune into this new initiative and abandon the whole "girl in the kitchen" cliche?. lol. Tc.
- By BatoolM