The others are traits someone is born with that are almost impossible to change. Like many who dominate their sport, swimmers have a unique physical build. However, it is important to understand the swimmers you see competing at the international level are in a league of their own; they are at the apex of their sport.
These are the swimmers who are spending countless hours training, and have basically made a career in the pool. In addition to the necessity of following a strict regime, the tall height and long arm length that we often associate with swimmer traits are something they are naturally born with.
As we discussed in the article about height , the swimmers you see on television went through a natural selection of the sport — not all swimmers are going to have the natural advantage of height. Although, it certainly helps. Both men and women benefit as swimmers if they are on the taller end of the spectrum.
It is an obvious factor when watching the Olympics, for example, where it is not uncommon to see female swimmers at least 6 feet tall and male swimmers even taller than that. You might be wondering why height is helpful for swimmers.
Here are some considerations:. This gives us a quick snapshot of why height is such a noticeable trait in many of the most recognizable swimming athletes. Remember that elite swimmers train consistently at an intense level and high frequency over many years, and naturally are going to develop the large, defined muscles. A typical swimmer may not be training with the same amount of intensity, so it may take longer to develop those features.
But, for anyone who routinely swims including varying levels in different heart rate zones as well as dryland training , the shape of their body is bound to be transformed. Michael Phelps, for example, was swimming 12 times per week and logging-in over 12 miles of swimming each day. With this kind of regimen, a uniquely powerful body, closely aligned with the full-body sport of swimming, is inevitable.
The large, expanse of a back is a hallmark of the competitive swimmer regardless of your stroke or distance. Completing the V-shape common to swimmers are those boulder shoulders. Or, as we shall call them— bashoulders. The cumulative effect of a big back and big shoulders means that shopping for clothing is a bit tricky.
Sitting on the aisle seat on a plane means you are getting body checked by the snack cart and bathroom-bound passengers no matter how far into your seat you try to tuck yourself. And no matter where you are at in the world you can spot a fellow swimmer by the high shoulder to waist ratio.
Despite all of our relative strength, and the shocking amount of time spent both in the pool and in the weight room, we are lean. Unlike our land-locked sporting brothers and sisters we compete in a medium that is trying to slow us down at every turn. Water is thick to the tune of being nearly times denser than air at sea level. In order to combat this we need to assume a form that is less Diesel F and more Murcielago. Swimmers who are built with sleekness are rewarded with much lower drag than their overly muscley compatriots.
During a landing, athletes exert a force on the ground and the ground exerts an equal and opposite force on athletes. Athletes that spend time on land develop musculature and will be able to distribute that force evenly throughout their body such that no particular joint or muscle bears the brunt of the energy absorbed.
Swimmers, however, may divert the force randomly or in an unbalanced way. The full force can be sent to the hip joint, the knees, ankles, or perhaps one side of the body more than the other and cause acute and chronic injuries.
Moreover, running and other high-impact dryland activities negatively affect swimmers. Loose Ankles. Every day, swimmers kick their feet back and forth, perhaps thousands of times in one practice.
This repetitive motion makes the tendons and ligaments in the foot and ankle extremely flexible, giving swimmers a great range of motion in kicking. On land, loose ankles can be a problem. Uneven surfaces and landing from jumps can result in sprained ankles. There are a variety of exercises that can be implemented in swimming dryland training that can help strengthen ankles.
Repetitive swimming movements cause swimmers to develop distinctive features that can are helpful in the water, but consequential on land. Athletes should combat these negative effects with specific swimming dyland training. Click here to check out dryland training for a swimmer's body. Topics: Performance Trends , Swimming. I was swimming six days a week, at least two hours a day, and then I ran the Bath half marathon and smashed it.
I was running 1hr 17min or 18min, and then I ran a 1hr 13min race. There was nothing in my running training that suggested I was going to run that fast.
You have to put it down to my swimming. Sign up for our daily newsletter Newsletter. Nick Harris-Fry 22 Oct
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