The Paradox of Athletics: How relaxing while pushing hard helps athletes win

[sisterruth]

I just thought this article was really interesting, and it helps explain one reason why Phelps is so awesome.

LIKE so many people around the world, Dr. Michael Joyner was transfixed watching Michael Phelps swim in the Summer Olympics. But while many of us focused on Mr. Phelps’s world records, Dr. Joyner, a competitive Masters swimmer and an

Comments

[grungepuppie]

good article ! i LOVE watching mp in the butterfly. it's like there's barely any effort there... beeeautiful

[navy_brat_1972]

Thanks for posting. It is probably why he's not breathing that hard at the end of the race. It makes sense...but come on? MR. Phelps? That made me laugh.

:)

[southern_shrimp]

whoa, thanks for posting this. this is really interesting. i've always wondered how relaxation kind of relates to intense competitions, because you think it'd almost be the other way around. michael is really good at just...being. there really isn't an effort. like the author said, it's this fabulous rhythm. nastia too, is incredibly relaxed when she competes. yes, she intensely focused, but she rarely seems tense. to me at least.

idk.
loved it bb. thank you.

[lindz04]

Interesting! I think it makes sense- if you're breathing right during the activity, you shouldn't really be out of breath after (from what I've heard). And if you're less tense, your muscles move more efficiently. Thus you're able to stay in a more "relaxed" mode.

[sisterruth]

And if you're less tense, your muscles move more efficiently.

Efficiency really is the key, especially in swimming. It's a sport that's extremely technique-oriented, which is why there has been so much improvement in times over the last few years. And efficiency is the reason that Phelps and Dara Torres are so good. Sports physiologists have tested them both. Torres is able to compete against people so much younger because her stroke is far superior. What's really interesting about Phelps is that he's actually so weak on dry land. Put him in the weight room and he ranks near the bottom of all US swimmers in strength.

[entropygoddess]

Mr. Phelps, he said, “was able to nail it every time.” He is, Mr. DeMont said, “a rhythm master.”

Uh huh. I'll go there.

[sisterruth]

Unf. Unf. I'm glad you went there. I think this is appropriate:

[lindz04]

Those are so mesmerizing... he's definitely a "rhythm master", wow. :D

[lelielknight]

I printed that part out and highlighted it and hung it my wall at work.