What is drag in the context of swimming?

In the context of swimming, drag refers to the resistance that opposes an individual's movement through the water. When a swimmer moves, they displace water, which creates friction and resistance against their body. This force works against their forward motion, making it more challenging for them to swim efficiently.

Understanding drag is crucial for swimmers because it impacts overall performance. Swimmers aim to streamline their bodies and reduce drag as much as possible to conserve energy and improve speed. Techniques such as changing body position, optimizing strokes, and minimizing unnecessary movements can help reduce drag while swimming.

On the other hand, propulsion is associated with the forces that help a swimmer move forward, while swimming techniques and strokes refer to specific movements employed to enhance speed and efficiency in the water.