Sprinter Physique

[Sark6354201]

Professional sprinters not only have great lower body muscle, but also upper body. Do they lift weights? Or does the sprinting grant them some or most of that muscle.

[falconfootball]

Sorry to tell you, but runnin 100 M isn't going to give you a great upper body. They lift weights, just like any other athlete.
I'm sure their gym routine is full of explosive lifts, core work and total body work

[tidalwave]

In addition to what falconfb said, the sprinter's physique is primarily a product of anaerobic conditioning whereby lean body mass is built/preserved and fat storage is minimal.

Contrasted with a marathon or distance runner's body, the sprinter is built for short, explosive bursts of speed. The marathoner is built for endurance which means greater efficiency is needed. A high percentage of muscle mass is not very efficient and deviates beyond the body's natural composition, which is why we lift weights to fool the body into thinking that the equilibrium point has shifted toward the muscular side.

To use a crappy automotive analogy, the sprinter is a drag car with high horsepower (muscle) and low fuel capacity (less bodyfat) and aims for explosive speed. On the other hand, a commuter car is lower on horsepower and has a greater fuel capacity, which aims toward greater efficiency and range capability.

[wildstang]

Originally Posted by tidalwave

In addition to what falconfb said, the sprinter's physique is primarily a product of anaerobic conditioning whereby lean body mass is built/preserved and fat storage is minimal.

Contrasted with a marathon or distance runner's body, the sprinter is built for short, explosive bursts of speed. The marathoner is built for endurance which means greater efficiency is needed. A high percentage of muscle mass is not very efficient and deviates beyond the body's natural composition, which is why we lift weights to fool the body into thinking that the equilibrium point has shifted toward the muscular side.

To use a crappy automotive analogy, the sprinter is a drag car with high horsepower (muscle) and low fuel capacity (less bodyfat) and aims for explosive speed. On the other hand, a commuter car is lower on horsepower and has a greater fuel capacity, which aims toward greater efficiency and range capability.

i used to be a long distance runner the majority of my life and yes did find it harder after i bulked up. but none the less i stayed active in my originaly gifted area....that being endurance. it does wonders for calorie control for me amongst other areas of my life wich i wont get into on this thread, but i agree 99% of what you said with the exception of your commuter car.....lol i believe its more like a high horsepower car designed for long term races such as "nascar" ....lol....sorry dude no disrespect intended....lol

[wildstang]

as in any athlete a distance runner has the "internals" beefed up in terms of forged crank and so forth,(car analogy) to be able to handle the rigors of a demanding pace. so in my opinion i feel i should give the runner his do credit for his acomplishments as an athlete also. im not bashing your example tidal wave on purpose but believe a runners conditioning is commonly over looked as body builders (weight training) are in our society.