Being average height or less is not the disadvantage in breaststroke that it is in the other strokes.Hansen is I believe 6" making him the shortest on the WR Medley Relay by 4-6 inches. Kitajima is 5'8". Good upper body strength is important,good leg strength is essential.Wieght lifting really helps this. Also essential is hip, knee,and ankle flexibility. The ankle flexibility is in external and internal rotation,not particularly in extension like in the other strokes.
Former Member
If you were shopping for a breastroke body I don't know how you could do any better than Brendan Hansen, the dominant male breastroker in the world.
He doesn't look especially muscular. He looks like a lot of male world record holders, tall and lean.
Former Member
Only problem we have to work with what we have.
Former Member
Building muscle mass can be done.
Former Member
And what about the body-type best for medium or longer distance (400m and 800m) freestyle? Do you need to be particularly muscular? If so, what parts of your body are supposed to be the strongest and the most muscular? Is it true that for these distances freestyle strength and sturdy posture is less important than for sprints?
If I am 5'7 and weigh around 116-118 pounds is there any hope I will come to relatively good results at 400m and 800m freestyle?
Of course, I realise that the body posture is not all you need to get good results:) But it is one of the factors that contributes to the success.
Former Member
Lindsay my nefew Brian Park was 5'6" and swam for U of Maryland was great 200, 400, 800 and 1500m swimmer.
