My preferred form of exercise is swimming. For a given distance, which stroke is the best to use in terms of calories burned?
Millie Hughes, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, UK
The best stroke for burning calories is butterfly, but it isn鈥檛 sustainable over longer distances. The breaststroke is the next best, followed by front crawl and then backstroke.
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Swimming is a particularly good way of burning calories if you have problems with your joints, such as the knees or hips, as it is a very low impact activity.
Ann Smith, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Breaststroke was probably the earliest known stroke, as it was depicted 8000 years ago in paintings in the so-called , Egypt. It is also the least efficient stroke and is relatively slow, but it is a very comfortable way to swim.
Butterfly is the most recently developed stroke, first used in competition in 1933. It is a , but is considerably faster because the overhead arm return reduces water drag.
. This is because it uses a body roll and out-of-water arm return, that reduce drag at the shoulder. It also uses a kick that further minimises drag by keeping the legs behind the body. Versions of this stroke can be seen in ancient Egyptian art from around 4000 years ago. The efficiency of front crawl is relatively high, and in 鈥渇reestyle鈥� events, where swimmers can choose their stroke, they inevitably choose the front crawl. Indeed, many people now think that freestyle is the name of that stroke style.
So, for maximum energy usage over a given distance, swim fast and choose butterfly or breaststroke. But bear in mind that the drops and energy expenditure increases with age. However, be aware of the various articles in 快猫短视频聽that note a rapid fall-off in energy expenditure above a modest initial level of exercise. In practice, it may not matter much which stroke you use to lose weight.
Stephen Johnson (US Masters swimming world record holder, 800 metre relay) Eugene, Oregon, US
How many calories are used depends on factors including an individual鈥檚 resting metabolic rate, their weight and whether they are swimming quickly or slowly.
Since butterfly requires the body to be partially lifted out of the water, as well as a strong, well-timed set of kicks, it is almost never swum for more than 200 metres, even by world-class swimmers. Most people swimming for fitness choose freestyle, and they should remember to use their legs in a steady fashion.
Virginia Trimble, Irvine, California, US
My expertise on this topic goes back about 60 years, but then, it was certainly the butterfly that left me the most breathless. I conclude that this stroke burns the most fuel per minute and per metre.
Patrick Anderson, Canberra, ACT, Australia
A good way to burn calories in a small pool is to run on the spot at a point in the water between waist and neck deep. For a more intense workout, grasp an edge or corner of the pool, extend your legs horizontally and kick. Alternating speeds can then achieve a leisurely or aerobic calorie burn.
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