Swimming is one of the most difficult sports. Swimmers use every part of the body, train yearlong, and require more self-control and technique. Maintaining activeness in swimming makes it one of the most difficult sports to compete in. 

Swimming uses every muscle in the body. Every stroke in swimming uses all muscles in the body, and each stroke uses these muscles differently. All strokes use the arm muscles, leg muscles, core muscles, upper body, abdomen muscles, and shoulder muscles to propel in the water. 

One of the four strokes, butterfly stroke, mainly focuses on the shoulder muscles. The shoulder and tricep muscles must constantly be moving in a wing-like motion to go against the naturally resistant force of the water. Butterfly stroke also requires constant up and down kicking movement to propel in the water. The abdomen muscles are constantly used to keep the body above the water. 

Yearlong training is required to stay active in swimming. Yearlong training retains muscle mass that is vital in allowing swimmers to move swiftly in the water. Swimmers also train yearlong to retain water biomechanics, which is how swimmers use their bodies in the water. 

The built-up muscle mass and water biomechanics that swimmers maintain throughout the year are used to resist the force of the water going against the body. Without this muscle mass, movement in the water will require more energy. If a swimmer doesn’t train throughout the year, they will lose speed and endurance. 

More self-control and technique are required in swimming than in any other sport. Breathe control, stroke distance, and constant movement are only a few of the mental technique’s swimmers must maintain. 

One of the four strokes, breaststroke, requires precise leg movement, synchronized arm movement, and constant breathing to maximize distance per stroke in the water. If swimmers do not maintain these techniques, they will fall behind in race. While in other sports such as track and field where a few seconds do not matter, a hundredth of a second in swimming can be the difference between winning and losing place.  

From having to be constantly train year-round to maintaining mental techniques during a race, it is safe to say swimming is one of the most difficult sports.