How is friction reduced by swimmers?

Swimmers must fight the effects of friction as they push through the water. Friction is a force that reduces the motion of substances that encounter each other. Swimmers encounter frictional drag in water, just as cyclists and runners encounter frictional drag from the air pushing against them. read more

Swim slowly or reduce drag-causing surfaces. ‘Baggy’ swimsuits and lots of free-flowing (and uncovered) hair for example will cause more drag than smooth suits and swim caps. Fish do this by evolving their shape. And human swimmers try to make their ‘shape’ as smooth as possible. read more

Competitive swimmers work for years to hone their skills in the water in pursuit of faster and faster performances. Despite that, certain obstacles remain, even for the most accomplished swimmers. Among these is the friction created by the constant flow of water over the body. read more