Abstract: Aiming at analyzing the propulsive force and the hydrodynamic drag force in swimming research,the traditional experimental methods are limited by the high cost,the low duplication and the disability to interpret the fundamental dynamic mechanism.In recent decades,the CFD simulating technology,as an alternative effective method for fluid study,has been widely used in the swimming research.By dissecting the state of the art,prosperities and practical steps of the CFD are presented,and followed by summarizing the application methods and the corresponding results in the propulsive force and the hydrodynamic drag force aspects,respectively.Finally,the future development is proposed,which may be considered for domestic researchers.