Which term describes the straight body position used to minimize drag in aquatic movement?

Which term describes the straight body position used to minimize drag in aquatic movement?

• A. Deceleration
• B. Streamlined
• C. Absorption
• D. Law of inertia

Answer: (B)

Minimizing drag in water comes from creating a smooth, elongated shape that slices through the flow. The straight, streamlined body position aligns the spine, keeps the head in line with the body, and tightens the arms and legs into a single, narrow profile, which reduces the frontal area and smooths water flow. This lowers form drag and skin friction, allowing the swimmer to glide farther with less energy. In swimming, the streamlined posture is the glide position used after starts and turns to maximize efficiency. The other terms don’t describe a posture that reduces drag: deceleration means slowing down, absorption isn’t a term for body position, and the law of inertia is a physics concept about resistance to motion changes rather than technique.

Minimizing drag in water comes from creating a smooth, elongated shape that slices through the flow. The straight, streamlined body position aligns the spine, keeps the head in line with the body, and tightens the arms and legs into a single, narrow profile, which reduces the frontal area and smooths water flow. This lowers form drag and skin friction, allowing the swimmer to glide farther with less energy. In swimming, the streamlined posture is the glide position used after starts and turns to maximize efficiency. The other terms don’t describe a posture that reduces drag: deceleration means slowing down, absorption isn’t a term for body position, and the law of inertia is a physics concept about resistance to motion changes rather than technique.