Anyone read the ESPN Body Issue?

[Bateluer]

http://espn.go.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/7030506/bodies-want-2011#1

The above leak is a direct link to their nude photoshoot of top athletes in the world, in various sports and of both genders. While tastefully done, and no 'naughty' bits showing, it may be considered NSFW.

Was reading some threads on Reddit about it, where some are claiming that these top athletes are not attractive people, too skinny, too freakish, unhealthy, disgusting, etc. In full knowledge that these people are among the best athletes in the world.

Have we Americans actually forgotten what the human body is supposed to look like, before McDonalds and Dunkin Donut's started fueling it? None of the people in the photo shoot is underweight, overweight, ugly, freakish, or otherwise unhealthy. These aren't Mr Universe body builds who've loaded up on HGH and steriods. Their body's are toned, perfectly proportioned, and generally of Greek God/dess level.

It galls me when people look at Ryan Hall's picture, for example, and call him unhealthy, too skinny, etc. The man is a sub-4:43min/mile marathoner. The rest are among top athletes in their respective sports as well.

I think people are getting too accustomed to seeing the chubby, flabby bodies of 1st world citizens today, and now believe that that is 'normal'. Seeing someone who's actually in peak physical condition does not appear attractive to them. I find this disturbing that an individual would have to sacrifice their health & fitness in order to appear attractive to the opposite gender.

 

[Exodist]

Fat has become to normal I agree. And sadly its not because anyone really wants to be fat, there are just so many environmental conditions that effect everyone that one these days has to really work at being less fat. I am from Mississippi, one if not THE fattest state in the union. People here blame it on Mash potatoes and fried chicken. But lets me honest, most cities and towns dont have public transportation or even sidewalks for that matter. Also we a bumb-barted with walmarts selling groceries that put all the real farm quality markets out of business. When I drop my wife off to work, she cant safetly cross the road to pick up a few items from walmart without jaywalking or getting hit by a car. Thus everyone here is forced to get a car or cant even get a job... Very sad and its even a question on job applications if you own a car..

Now in cities like San Diego where I lived for a long time, a car is a OPTION. There is so much better public transportation that you can walk everywhere safely and there also are much much more food markets selling better healthier produce. Not the can stacked shelf's like walmart has. Thus also San Diego has much more skinner/ healthier people.

IMHO

 

[Bateluer]

Fat has become to normal I agree. And sadly its not because anyone really wants to be fat, there are just so many environmental conditions that effect everyone that one these days has to really work at being less fat. I am from Mississippi, one if not THE fattest state in the union. People here blame it on Mash potatoes and fried chicken. But lets me honest, most cities and towns dont have public transportation or even sidewalks for that matter. Also we a bumb-barted with walmarts selling groceries that put all the real farm quality markets out of business. When I drop my wife off to work, she cant safetly cross the road to pick up a few items from walmart without jaywalking or getting hit by a car. Thus everyone here is forced to get a car or cant even get a job... Very sad and its even a question on job applications if you own a car..

Now in cities like San Diego where I lived for a long time, a car is a OPTION. There is so much better public transportation that you can walk everywhere safely and there also are much much more food markets selling better healthier produce. Not the can stacked shelf's like walmart has. Thus also San Diego has much more skinner/ healthier people.

IMHO

I direct the blame where it lies, lazy people. Phoenix doesn't have much of a public transportation system either. There's still plenty of gyms, public parks, and other safe places where you can go to exercise.

 

[Megatomic]

I couldn't agree more Bateluer. But real people IRL are not as bad as the internet denizens that sit behind their computers all day long and put down the healthy looking individuals. I still see men and women turn their heads when an attractively healthy person walks by.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

http://espn.go.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/7030506/bodies-want-2011#1

The above leak is a direct link to their nude photoshoot of top athletes in the world, in various sports and of both genders. While tastefully done, and no 'naughty' bits showing, it may be considered NSFW.

Was reading some threads on Reddit about it, where some are claiming that these top athletes are not attractive people, too skinny, too freakish, unhealthy, disgusting, etc. In full knowledge that these people are among the best athletes in the world.

Have we Americans actually forgotten what the human body is supposed to look like, before McDonalds and Dunkin Donut's started fueling it? None of the people in the photo shoot is underweight, overweight, ugly, freakish, or otherwise unhealthy. These aren't Mr Universe body builds who've loaded up on HGH and steriods. Their body's are toned, perfectly proportioned, and generally of Greek God/dess level.

It galls me when people look at Ryan Hall's picture, for example, and call him unhealthy, too skinny, etc. The man is a sub-4:43min/mile marathoner. The rest are among top athletes in their respective sports as well.

I think people are getting too accustomed to seeing the chubby, flabby bodies of 1st world citizens today, and now believe that that is 'normal'. Seeing someone who's actually in peak physical condition does not appear attractive to them. I find this disturbing that an individual would have to sacrifice their health & fitness in order to appear attractive to the opposite gender.

I've seen the Ryan Gall picture and to be perfectly honest, he is below a healthy weight. His body type puts him at risk for sarcopenia, osteopenia/osteoporosis. Sure, he's an oxidative beast, built for his sport. He's got an insanely healthy cardiovascular system, in all likelihood, but he's not healthy overall. In general though, when you commit to a sport that wholeheartedly, you make sacrifices. Sprinters are just the opposite - moderately to poorly trained cardiovascular systems (compared to Hall), but great muscle mass and huge bone density. They're at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, etc than Ryan Hall.

 

[tedrodai]

I think people are getting too accustomed to seeing the chubby, flabby bodies of 1st world citizens today, and now believe that that is 'normal'. Seeing someone who's actually in peak physical condition does not appear attractive to them. I find this disturbing that an individual would have to sacrifice their health & fitness in order to appear attractive to the opposite gender.

Frankly, people just have different tastes. Some might show poor character in putting down these athlete's appearances, but I think you're overcompensating during your explanation. I find most of the ladies in that series to have very attractive bodies, but not all of them. If you'd asked my opinion 10 years ago, I'd have found most of them less attractive, because over the years I've gained more admiration for the dedication (etc) it takes to achieve something like that...which in turn has slightly affected what I find attractive. I'm no pro athlete, but I love to stay in athletic shape myself.

Frankly, I doubt if those athletes care that some people think they look unattractive, because there's also people out there who DO and who would appreciate them for who/what they are. If they sacrificed their health and fitness, they'd just switch to a different demographic who find them attractive/not.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I've seen the Ryan Gall picture and to be perfectly honest, he is below a healthy weight. His body type puts him at risk for sarcopenia, osteopenia/osteoporosis. Sure, he's an oxidative beast, built for his sport. He's got an insanely healthy cardiovascular system, in all likelihood, but he's not healthy overall. In general though, when you commit to a sport that wholeheartedly, you make sacrifices. Sprinters are just the opposite - moderately to poorly trained cardiovascular systems (compared to Hall), but great muscle mass and huge bone density. They're at higher risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, etc than Ryan Hall.

The question is what is the "optimal" body composition and what sport gets you there?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

The question is what is the "optimal" body composition and what sport gets you there?

Honestly, that question depends on functionality and what you want to do with it. Overall, if you're trying to be a jack of all trades, be moderately good at everything - you need to have a moderate amount of muscle mass. Most high level 400m runners run sub 5-min miles. To me, that's relatively good endurance and they're good when it comes to strength and anaerobic activity as well. Their sport doesn't really stress flexibility or coordination though, so I'm talking based on a pure exercise physiology level. That's what CrossFit tries to achieve - strength, oxidative ability, flexibility, endurance, coordination, etc. Most of those guys tend to be a little bit bigger than what you'd think.

 

[Exodist]

The question is what is the "optimal" body composition and what sport gets you there?

Become a Navy SEAL. You will be trained to have the best all-around body comp possible for swimming, running and fighting. At least thats my opinion and its up to the person to maintain that as well. You may not look the best, but you will have the most endurance and stamina imaginable. But if squats scare you, log PT will make you cry.

 

[Megatomic]

That's what CrossFit tries to achieve - strength, oxidative ability, flexibility, endurance, coordination, etc. Most of those guys tend to be a little bit bigger than what you'd think.

I'd give crossfit a try if I could ignore the elitism of the typical crossfit devotee. I'll stick with my own circuit routines and keep running trail ultras. I look (physical fitness) many times better than most of the people I interact with as it is.

 

[MotF Bane]

Steven Jackson is huge.

 

[rcpratt]

Apolo, Reyes, and Kesler are ridiculous.

 

[Whisper]

Steven Jackson is huge.

Yeah, most NFL running backs are built like trucks--MJD, Gore, AP, Turner, etc.

 

[Bateluer]

I've seen the Ryan Hall picture and to be perfectly honest, he is below a healthy weight.

No, he's actually not. Perhaps on the low side of the BMI scale, but no. Again, illustrates my point nicely.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

No, he's actually not. Perhaps on the low side of the BMI scale, but no. Again, illustrates my point nicely.

You say that, but that doesn't mean he isn't. BMI is a terrible indicator of proper weight, which has been acknowledged by nutrition and exercise physiology journals for quite some time. 18.5 is the border for "underweight," but that definitely doesn't mean weight-related issues don't come on at higher BMI's. At his height and weight (5'10, 130lbs), he's at 18.7. I'm telling you as a clinician, he IS and will continue to be at risk of osteopenia and sarcopenia because of his weight and training schedule. Would be he a world class runner if he weighed more? No, probably not. I'm not saying that's something he needs to change, but it's something he takes into mind, I'm sure.

 

[Bateluer]

You say that, but that doesn't mean he isn't. BMI is a terrible indicator of proper weight, which has been acknowledged by nutrition and exercise physiology journals for quite some time. 18.5 is the border for "underweight," but that definitely doesn't mean weight-related issues don't come on at higher BMI's. At his height and weight (5'10, 130lbs), he's at 18.7. I'm telling you as a clinician, he IS and will continue to be at risk of osteopenia and sarcopenia because of his weight and training schedule. Would be he a world class runner if he weighed more? No, probably not. I'm not saying that's something he needs to change, but it's something he takes into mind, I'm sure.

If he was sedentary, your statement might hold water. But think about what you're saying here. He's going to have bone and muscle loss/density problems? The man eats a very scientifically formulated diet, trains very effectively, etc. Those two things alone negate what you are saying because they both keep his muscle and bones strong.

I bring up Ryan Hall here because running is a sport I'm intimately familiar with, no disrespect to the other athletes in the photoshoot/article. Obviously, all of these athletes have things that the average person doesn't have. They do their sport professionally, they are paid to train, get personal trainers, sponsors, etc. The average person does not have these benefits, and cannot be expect to spend their every waking hour improving their fitness.

But, for us average people to deride these professional athletes as unhealthy and freakish is insulting.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

If he was sedentary, your statement might hold water. But think about what you're saying here. He's going to have bone and muscle loss/density problems? The man eats a very scientifically formulated diet, trains very effectively, etc. Those two things alone negate what you are saying because they both keep his muscle and bones strong.

I bring up Ryan Hall here because running is a sport I'm intimately familiar with, no disrespect to the other athletes in the photoshoot/article. Obviously, all of these athletes have things that the average person doesn't have. They do their sport professionally, they are paid to train, get personal trainers, sponsors, etc. The average person does not have these benefits, and cannot be expect to spend their every waking hour improving their fitness.

But, for us average people to deride these professional athletes as unhealthy and freakish is insulting.

I've thought about these statements - I'm telling you he is at risk. You're putting him into a bubble of being untouchable. You have to understand the physiology behind it. Bones take a fair amount of damage when you run - that's why people who train too quickly or overtrain easily get stress or regular fractures. After training, the bone materials that are damaged are reabsorbed by osteoclasts while the osteoblasts lay down denser bone. With such high volume, especially that of running, the bone breakdown vs build-up is excessive, resulting in reduced bone density. Also, consider that bone density reduces with reduced body weight. The moment he stops competing, his risk will further increase. Get someone to ask Ryan Hall if he's had stress fractures before. I guarantee he's had multiple. That's an indicator of his overall bone health.

Also, low weight endurance athletes are at high risk for muscle wasting later in life. Regardless of activity level, individuals will tend to lose about 10kg of muscle mass from 20-60 and 10kg more from 60-80. If you consider Ryan Hall's starting point, if he lost 10kg, he would die. This trend is only interrupted by active bulking with resistance training - not even with general weight gain. It is only slowed with specific training. You call him strong. Whether he's strong or not, he has low muscle mass. That inherently, with or without significant activity, puts him at higher risk of sarcopenia. His diet actually has no real effect on it (due to the massive amount of catabolism he experiences), unless he consumes a caloric surplus.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

Honestly, that question depends on functionality and what you want to do with it. Overall, if you're trying to be a jack of all trades, be moderately good at everything - you need to have a moderate amount of muscle mass. Most high level 400m runners run sub 5-min miles. To me, that's relatively good endurance and they're good when it comes to strength and anaerobic activity as well. Their sport doesn't really stress flexibility or coordination though, so I'm talking based on a pure exercise physiology level. That's what CrossFit tries to achieve - strength, oxidative ability, flexibility, endurance, coordination, etc. Most of those guys tend to be a little bit bigger than what you'd think.

I think you missed what I was asking. I meant more from a health point of view. Obviously different sports have different optimal physiques.

 

[darkxshade]

To SCs point, you wouldn't disagree that the top sumo wrestler in the world is at risk of something. That's the point he's trying to make. There are some specializations of sports at the competition level that requires sacrifices to be at the top and that unfortunately puts you at certain health risks. Since I've been training for a marathon lately, I read a story about a guy who came in first and dropped dead at the finish line. Surely you would think he's at the peak of his health so why did it happen? As far as physique go, sure they look great. But physique and health does not always go hand in hand.

 

[Megatomic]

I've read in many places that running increases bone density...

 

[Bateluer]

I've read in many places that running increases bone density...

It does. SociallyChallenged has some good points, but he's wrong. Runners live much longer, healthier lives than the average person.

 

[marmasatt]

It does. SociallyChallenged has some good points, but he's wrong. Runners live much longer, healthier lives than the average person.

Yeah, this discussion is nuts. Let's be honest here. He's a lot "healthier" than he is "unhealthy".....The pro's he has are going to far outweigh the cons. That makes sense, right? I mean it's foolish to argue on a false premise.

 

[wirednuts]

growing up as a boy, i was wayyyy too skinny. girls said "no" every time

 

[tedrodai]

Yeah, this discussion is nuts. Let's be honest here. He's a lot "healthier" than he is "unhealthy".....The pro's he has are going to far outweigh the cons. That makes sense, right? I mean it's foolish to argue on a false premise.

Ask Bruce Lee if the pros outweighed the cons of his training. We'll never know exactly what factors caused his young death, but he was in excellent physical condition. Everyone has a different mix of genetics, so who really knows if Mr. Hall is a lot "healthier" than he is "unhealthy"?

Of course, the odds favor he's a lot healthier; and personally, I'd prefer to die doing what I love rather than give up what I love to guarantee longer life.

 

[Pantlegz]

Ask Bruce Lee if the pros outweighed the cons of his training. We'll never know exactly what factors caused his young death, but he was in excellent physical condition. Everyone has a different mix of genetics, so who really knows if Mr. Hall is a lot "healthier" than he is "unhealthy"?

Of course, the odds favor he's a lot healthier; and personally, I'd prefer to die doing what I love rather than give up what I love to guarantee longer life.

Or zyzz... Not that the steroids he was taking in whatever unknown doses along with whatever else he did. Just because someone looks 'healthy' doesn't mean they are. There are a lot of 'ripped' guys that have super high BP and cholesterol off the chart. I guess appearance can be deceiving.

That said, most of the women featured are very attractive. There are a few that just aren't my 'type' like the Asian woman and the skater.

And whoever the first guy is, dude's legs are monstrous..

And I couldn't agree with the bolded part more. Why live life doing not doing something you love? I'm not sure what I would do if for some reason I wasn't able to compete in the sports/activities that I love any more.