Thought of this on my run to work, and was wondering what you guys think?
I guess I'd go to say Decathletes, just because they are involved in more skeletal/muscular movements. Throws, jumps and sprints.
Thought of this on my run to work, and was wondering what you guys think?
I guess I'd go to say Decathletes, just because they are involved in more skeletal/muscular movements. Throws, jumps and sprints.
I'd say the top ultrarunners have to be up there. They are fast and very strong. Plus, they have a lot of mental strength.
gymnasts have to be way, way up there. Doing those rings incredibly tough as are the floor routines, vaults and bar routines.
Yes that's true, but I'm looking at more of a spectrum of different things. think an ultra runner can swim well? or throw a football, have agility, HAVE MAD HOPS?
I don't know, just another way to look at it.
Perhaps even the Tarahumara are, or your average construction worker.
But still good thinking.
[quote]Sheriff Buford T. Pusser wrote:
gymnasts have to be way, way up there.[quote]
I have to agree here. I don't think any other sport requires such a range and high level of athletic ability to be at the top. Speed, Power, Stretgh, Endurance, Coordination, Balance, Focus, Flexabilty, Agility. I can't think of any other sport that requires so much out of its athletes.
When I think of a great athlete I think of someone who has the physical tools to be successful in many sports.
I tend to think that NFL quality Wide Receivers are the best athletes. They need to have fairly elite speed, exceptional agility, fantastic body control and timing, as well great coordination. I think most WRs could be successful in a variety of other sports. Male Gymnasts could obviously do well in other sports, although I think they benefit significantly from small talent pools in most countries. Decathletes would be high up on the list also.
Dean Karnazes, because he says so, and has a book to prove it. End of discussion.
that guy will likely be dead in the next 5 years. Way too much unneeded risk.
Gymastics, basketball players, boxers, top level mma, decathaletes are the best athletes.
It's golfers, it is very hard to play golf, that makes it the most demanding sport there is. So, if you are the best at golf, you are the best.
Four!!!
Stout wrote:
When I think of a great athlete I think of someone who has the physical tools to be successful in many sports.
I tend to think that NFL quality Wide Receivers are the best athletes. They need to have fairly elite speed, exceptional agility, fantastic body control and timing, as well great coordination. I think most WRs could be successful in a variety of other sports. Male Gymnasts could obviously do well in other sports, although I think they benefit significantly from small talent pools in most countries. Decathletes would be high up on the list also.
I'd have to agree with both gymnasts. I'd also put MMA fighters in there too. I think both are pretty balanced in terms of aerobic and anaerobic ability as well as agility and flexibility. A lot of sports require one much more than the other. Top level mountain climbers are up there as well.
Haha!
That monkey man for sure has to be up there!
Sorry Arnieeee, That's "Fore" as in skin.
What , no votes for Elite Cross-Country;i.e. Nordic Skiers??These people are uber fit and coordinated.
blind 400m hurdlers
Ballet dancers have to be up there. Hard to compare because they don't work in objective metrics like people in sports. But, if you have ever seen a ballet dancer up close, they are 100% muscle. They are as flexible as a yoga master and have more physical control over their movement than anyone in sport.
sorry gang as far as pure physicality which to me is basically the same as athleticism, it's football players...period.
I think hockey players are up there. They're fast, strong, tough as hell, and have cat-like reflexes. Huge guys put on skates and do incredible juggling acts with a stick and piece of plastic while other guys beat on them. I don't watch the game much, but they always impress.
Pole vaulters require speed, strength and agility - similar to gymnasts. Decathletes obviously need speed, strength and agility. Endurance is a factor along with mental focus. Golf??? When a 59 year old almost wins a major championship it is exciting, but hardly an advertisement for athleticism amongst golfers.
Decathletes might require a large range of athletic skills, but let's be honest. The decathlon is so so far down the list in terms of talented athletes. I would say that combat sports(boxing, wrestling, mma) could be argued for. I would say the most athletic people in the world are probably involved in either football, basketball, or soccer, simply because those are the most competitive. But, there are also some athletes in those sports that are far from complete.
Sorry, soccer players are fags, no upper body strength or coordination.