Why Phelps can swim so bloody fast
August 18th 2008 08:22
It's science.
First of all, he struggled with ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) as a child, and so by chanelling his seemingly never-ending energy into swimming laps in the pool, he was soon able to manage his ADHD without medication.
Secondly, he has double-jointed ankles, elbows and knees and can hyper-extend his joints. In fact, Phelps can extend his ankles beyond the point of a ballet dancer.
Similarly to Thorpe, he has huge hands and feet. His flat size 14 foot and paddle-like hands provide much greater thrust through the water.
His armspan (6 foot 7) is even more than his great height (6 foot 4), and he has an unusually long torso. In fact, it is believed that Phelps may have Marfan syndrome, which amongst other symptoms, is characterised by sufferers being tall, with long limbs and long fingers.
So no need to feel bad - it's science. (And a lot of bloody hard work).
First of all, he struggled with ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) as a child, and so by chanelling his seemingly never-ending energy into swimming laps in the pool, he was soon able to manage his ADHD without medication.
Secondly, he has double-jointed ankles, elbows and knees and can hyper-extend his joints. In fact, Phelps can extend his ankles beyond the point of a ballet dancer.
Similarly to Thorpe, he has huge hands and feet. His flat size 14 foot and paddle-like hands provide much greater thrust through the water.
His armspan (6 foot 7) is even more than his great height (6 foot 4), and he has an unusually long torso. In fact, it is believed that Phelps may have Marfan syndrome, which amongst other symptoms, is characterised by sufferers being tall, with long limbs and long fingers.
So no need to feel bad - it's science. (And a lot of bloody hard work).
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Comment by Anonymous
Perhaps he was custom designed for swimming?
Comment by Anonymous