Why Michael Phelps Was Built to Swim? The Hidden Advantages in His Body
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Michael Phelps at a public appearance for VISA''s Play Every Day Jump Start Grant Presentation with Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps, McBurney YMCA of Greater New York, New York, NY, August 28, 2008. Photo by: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection
The 28-time Olympic medalist and American swimming legend Michael Phelps is often considered the greatest swimmer ever. The 2012 edition of Men's Health magazine named Phelps as the "Fittest Man of All Time."
Phelps was naturally built for swimming, and his dedication and hard work refined that. His 6-foot-7 wingspan and unique lactic acid production provided a natural engine no rival could match
"Michael Phelps’s height, wingspan, and large hands and feet give him an advantage in swimming. His body also produces less lactic acid than his rivals, which shortens his recovery time," according to Science ABC.
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Bildnummer: 06304574 Datum: 05.08.2010 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 05 August 2010: Michael Phelps (USA) during the Mens 100 LC Meter Butterfly at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Complex in Irvine, CA. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon269100805011; Herren Schwimmen Schwimmsport Irvine Conoco Phillips National Championships Irvine Aktion Einzelbild Freisteller vdig xsk 2010 quer o0 LM USA 100m Schmetterling Image number 06304574 date 05 08 2010 Copyright imago Icon Smi 05 August 2010 Michael Phelps USA during The Mens 100 LC Metres Butterfly AT The William Woollett JR Aquatics Complex in Irvine Approx PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon269100805011 men Swimming Swimming Irvine Conoco Phillips National Championships Irvine Action shot Single cut out Vdig xsk 2010 horizontal o0 LM USA 100m Butterfly
Phelps stands tall at 6’4", which is a fair height for swimmers. Usually, a person's wingspan is close to their height, but in Phelps' case, his wingspan is 6'7".
His long arms allowed him to generate more power in water. On the contrary, his lower body is only 5'10" long, reducing significant drag against water.
His highly flexible ankles used to act as flippers to propel him forward in water. Also, another major advantage for Phelps was his lower lactic acid production, which allowed him to train for long hours as his body took way less time to recover.
But as an athlete, natural advantages and hard work can also fall short if the diet is not disciplined. Phelps, however, maintained a strict regimen.
Michael Phelps Training and Diet
According to Science ABC, Phelps used to consume around 8,000 to 10,000 calories per day during his peak training days. It is still nearly four to five times a normal person's regular intake.
His immense appetite also meant that he used to burn those calories in the gym and in the pool to maintain his ideal weight.
Since his retirement in August 2016, Phelps has been one of the major advocates of mental health.
His mental health advocacy has helped several athletes to be on the right track, helping him earn the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award from Sports Illustrated.
He uses the Michael Phelps Foundation to help Olympians deal with the stress while also maintaining their mental strength.
What are your thoughts about the Swimming legend Michael Phelps? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Atrayo Bhattacharya
Edited by
Rudra Dubey