Does it take more effort to swim in the deep end of a pool than the shallow end?

Asked by: Kevin Ward, Stroud

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When swimming, water generates drag forces from three sources: friction from the ‘stickiness’ of water, waves created on the surface, and resistance to pushing through the water. Unless the water is so shallow that the chest of the swimmer takes up a sizeable fraction of the total depth, these sources of drag are the same for shallow or deep water, so that swimming will require the same amount of effort.

Read more:

• Can babies swim underwater?
• What proportion of swimming pool water is wee?

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Authors

Robert Matthews

Science writer

Robert is a science writer and visiting professor of science at Aston University. He likes maths, West End musicals and hamsters.