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
Fort: I'm denser than most (no qualifier needed) and my coach was always trying to help me keep my legs from sinking. May be why Tri people take the easy route with wet suits.
I know when I take time off, I put weight on in the middle (love handles) and my legs would still sink. I wonder if I was more of a swimmer in colder water that my body might spread out the wealth of the extra fat as opposed to concentrating it?
Granted we are predestined in a lot of things by our genes, but the human body adapts pretty well to the environment and spread the fat out would aid in keeping me warmer with the added benefit of lessening my sinking legs.
Fort: I'm denser than most (no qualifier needed) and my coach was always trying to help me keep my legs from sinking. May be why Tri people take the easy route with wet suits.
I know when I take time off, I put weight on in the middle (love handles) and my legs would still sink. I wonder if I was more of a swimmer in colder water that my body might spread out the wealth of the extra fat as opposed to concentrating it?
Granted we are predestined in a lot of things by our genes, but the human body adapts pretty well to the environment and spread the fat out would aid in keeping me warmer with the added benefit of lessening my sinking legs.
