Testing the kinetic chain

The body is set up in a series of links called the kinetic chain. It's easy to think of the body as a set of individual segments that do not interact or influence each other: you have your shoulders that you use to generate propulsion during your pull, your legs that help with the kick, the torso that assists with body rotation, and so on. However, all of these segments are in fact linked together, much like the links of a chain. What happens in one part of the body is influenced by what is happening in other parts of the body. When viewed this way, the force you can generate with your pull is affected by a variety of other factors:

Aqua aerobic and pulmonary diseases

Pulmonary diseases limit the body's ability to provide oxygen to the body's tissues. They generally fall into two categories: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. The ACSM recommends that all participants with pulmonary disease receive physician's clearance prior to participating in an exercise program. The body's need for oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal is increased during exercise, so participants with pulmonary diseases must learn how to cope with diminished lung capacity and increased oxygen demands. Gas exchange impairments also create problems for the cardiovascular and muscular systems. 

Body position mistakes in freestyle

Mistakes in this area usually mean that swimmers have done something to disturb their (1) horizontal or (2) lateral alignment.

Developmental advice for parents of age-group swimmers (8-12 years old)

In todays post I'm going to advise parents on how to prepare for and deal with the ups and downs of this challenging  yet rewarding sport.