I'm sure many of you are already aware of this article on about.com It reviews a couple of studies that try to explain why swimmers tend to have more body fat than other athletes.
Thought if you weren't aware of the article you might find it interesting.
swimming.about.com/.../offsite.htm
Lainey
Parents
Former Member
Fat has no place in sports (except the NFL trenches or in some cases baseball)
My opinion.
I can't agree with this. Excessive fat yes, but there is a tipping point where a little weight may be of assistance for momentum, and stamina. Not everyone is built to be ripped. I think that our ancestors that had a moderate amount of fat on their bodies fared better in harsh conditions.
Muscly extremes is an aesthetic thing, part of the youthcentric culture that is both a boon and a plague.
Johnny Weissmuller was not ripped. Charlie Atlas was fat compared to today's body builder. Soccer players were "smoother" compared to now.
For top pro athletes with the 100% nutrition and rest supporting "life infrastructure" (and funds) perhaps 0 bodyfat is sustainable, and of limited risk.
For the rest of us including good athletes...a little fat won't hurt, and may be of benefit.
Fat has no place in sports (except the NFL trenches or in some cases baseball)
My opinion.
I can't agree with this. Excessive fat yes, but there is a tipping point where a little weight may be of assistance for momentum, and stamina. Not everyone is built to be ripped. I think that our ancestors that had a moderate amount of fat on their bodies fared better in harsh conditions.
Muscly extremes is an aesthetic thing, part of the youthcentric culture that is both a boon and a plague.
Johnny Weissmuller was not ripped. Charlie Atlas was fat compared to today's body builder. Soccer players were "smoother" compared to now.
For top pro athletes with the 100% nutrition and rest supporting "life infrastructure" (and funds) perhaps 0 bodyfat is sustainable, and of limited risk.
For the rest of us including good athletes...a little fat won't hurt, and may be of benefit.
