What does frictional drag refer to in swimming?

Frictional drag in swimming specifically refers to the resistance that is produced by the swimmer’s body as it moves through the water. As the swimmer attempts to glide through the water, the surface area of their body creates friction against the water molecules, leading to a drag force that opposes their forward motion.

This type of drag is influenced by various factors, including the swimmer's body position, technique, and the speed at which they are swimming. Understanding frictional drag is crucial for swimmers aiming to improve their efficiency in the water, as minimizing this resistance can lead to faster swim times and improved performance.

The other options relate to different concepts in swimming, such as aerodynamic drag from the water's surface or buoyancy effects. However, these do not directly pertain to the specific resistance generated by the swimmer's own body surface while swimming.