PHYSICAL EDUCATION 3 (Swimming)
HOMEWORK # 1
Answer the following:
1. History of Swimming
Thousands of years ago, swimming had very practical purposes, such as finding food to avoid
starvation, traveling from place to place, and bathing.
Swimming was also recreational and exercise activity throughout the ancient world. In fact
some of the first records of organized swimming trace the activity back to the ancient Egypt at
the year 2500 BC. Swimming pools were used in Ancient Greece around 800 BC for bathing and
exercise, and in Ancient Rome, around 100 BC, bathhouses and swimming pools were
communal gathering places. However, despite these recreational practices, the modern sport of
swimming, as it exists today, didn’t begin until the 1800s.
Modern Athletic swimming is believed to have started in Great Britain, where the National
Swimming Society was formed in 1837. The society held races in indoor swimming pools around
Britain. Australia also held some of the first swimming championship in the mid-1840s. In 1896,
the first-ever modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece. Swimming was featured as one of
the sports at these Olympics and has remained an Olympic sports ever since.
2. Basic Skills in Swimming
To master the skill of swimming, you must first master the basics. Here are five fundamental
swimming abilities that all beginners should know:
 Breathing - If you are not comfortable breathing while swimming, you won't be able to
enjoy it completely and learn new things. The basic idea is that you need to breathe out
with both your nose and mouth when your head is underwater. Then, when you lift your
head to the side, take a full breath before putting your face back down.
 Floating – It helps to keep your body on the surface of the water. Our body experiences
a vertical buoyant force when immersed in water and floating helps to keep your body
in a horizontal position.
 Coordination - In swimming, all your body parts should be well coordinated with each
other. You must be able to move the muscles of your lower back, abdomen, and hips in
a synchronized way to keep moving forward. Your hands should move and cut through
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the water first, followed by your elbow and then your body should make way through
the water.
Kicking – It helps your body to move in the forward direction. Many swimming coaches
use kickboards to support swimmer's body.
Strokes - After you've mastered floating and kicking, it's time to learn some strokes.
Strokes are arm movements that help in the flow of the body through the water. Some
common swimming strokes are the front crawl, sidestroke, backstroke, and butterfly.
3. Equipment in Swimming
4.
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Safety Protocols in Swimming
Walk, don’t run.
Listen to instructions and obey pool rules
No diving in the shallow end.
No roughhousing
Don’t play around drains and covers
Never swim alone.
Always wear sunscreen when swimming outdoors
Use pool safety equipment properly
Out of the pool and inside when storms threaten
Know how to respond in an emergency