The Olympics

[kumu]

As usual it is thrilling to view the Olympics, especially the water events.

I have a question. I watched the water polo match this morning between Croatia and Greece (Croatia won) and noticed something I have noticed before. Why is it that water polo players tend to look a little bit (very little) pudgy compared to divers, swimmers, gymnasts? They certainly look in better shape than the average citizen, but they seem to be a bit more full figured than many other athletes. Why would that be?

[Byron]

Extra weight and strength to pull an opponent under water.

[Byron]

Diving events tomorrow 15.00 hrs GMT

(Ryan Lochte seems to have done the right thing with his new swim training program - Gold yesterday and leaving Michael Phelps to fourth position)

[sebbie]

A low body fat body is more important in some sports than others and water polo doesnt require low body fat. Water polo has some characteristics of being on an offensive line on a football team. The ideal physique for winning the 400 m IM medley is not necessarily ideal for being a top-tier water polo player.

In terms of overall fitness the gymnasts probably are at the top of the heap, but I wouldnt expect a gymnast likely to be a very fast runner. The Rowers are very interesting too, as they have upper body strength like the gymnasts, but in doing one basic move. Generally they have big broad shoulders and powerful deltoids. The divers have the huge quadriceps that keep their legs very straight in the ideal dive, but you dont see those on swimmers, where big quads might actually impede speed. The cyclists tend to be very low body fat and huge thighs and calf muscles, but their upper bodies look weak compared with many other sports, in large measure because cycling does not generally stress chest muscles, only used to hold the arms on the handlebars.

[Byron]

One only has to see the Tour De France to understand the cyclists' physique
(look at Bradley Wiggins's arms) but where do you rate boxers and amateur wrestlers which, with martial arts practitioners, I would expect to see alongside gymnasts ?

[PSDave]

its not as much fat as it is solid muscle. They are built for the sport that requires incredible strength all over. They are like floating rugby players or wrestlers that need lots of muscle to take control of the opponent and still have control to throw the ball hard. If I were you, I wouldn't want to call them pudgy to their faces!