Olympic swimmers and their muscle shakes

[Anonymous]

what is the underlying purpose of the muscle shakes all the swimmers doM is it ritual or important to preformance? it seems like they all do it

[Anonymous]

Keeps the muscles warm and loose. Swimming requires a decent amount of flexibility and if your muscles get cold and tight it can inhibit your stroke.

[Anonymous]

I am intriqued by this too. I can't figure out how to do it. I have a decent amount of muscle and I try and isolate them and shake them out like that and it's not something that comes naturally.

[Anonymous]

I think the South African guy doing it in front of Phelps was doing it to be obnoxious, but otherwise, it is likely to loosen up.

[Anonymous]

Why do they wear those gigantic winter jackets?

Is it it hot and humid enough in an indoor pool to keep your muscles warm? And why not just a sweatshirt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do they wear those gigantic winter jackets?

Is it it hot and humid enough in an indoor pool to keep your muscles warm? And why not just a sweatshirt?

I wonder about that, too. I can understand a sweater or jacket but those things look suitable for 40 below. There must be something to it, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they wear those gigantic winter jackets?

Is it it hot and humid enough in an indoor pool to keep your muscles warm? And why not just a sweatshirt?

I wonder about that, too. I can understand a sweater or jacket but those things look suitable for 40 below. There must be something to it, though.

You get chilly when you're wet and those jacket are much easier to take on and off than aweats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the South African guy doing it in front of Phelps was doing it to be obnoxious, but otherwise, it is likely to loosen up.

I thought it was hilarious. Those two have a rivalry, he beat Phelps in London in 2012 and Phelps is still bitter by it. I thought it was way more entertaining than Phelps' weird facial expressions.

[Anonymous]

Ok, I have a similar question about the divers? Why do they splash "hot tub water" on themselves after they dive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, I have a similar question about the divers? Why do they splash "hot tub water" on themselves after they dive?

And why are they always wiping themselves off with these little towels?

[Anonymous]

Little towel = shammy. Divers splash hot tub water on themselves so they don't get too cold standing around waiting for their next dive.


http://diving.isport.com/diving-guides/why-divers-use-a-shammy

[Anonymous]

The shammies drive me insane during summer dive team. Its like my kid has a security blanket all over again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do they wear those gigantic winter jackets?

Is it it hot and humid enough in an indoor pool to keep your muscles warm? And why not just a sweatshirt?

Stay warm (hot even). In a 100 meter race, cold muscles will guarantee you'll lose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they wear those gigantic winter jackets?

Is it it hot and humid enough in an indoor pool to keep your muscles warm? And why not just a sweatshirt?

Stay warm (hot even). In a 100 meter race, cold muscles will guarantee you'll lose.

Yep. That's the first thing my kid learned in swim team. If you want to be fast, you have to stay warm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, I have a similar question about the divers? Why do they splash "hot tub water" on themselves after they dive?

And why are they always wiping themselves off with these little towels?

Yes! We asked the same questions. I laughed so hard because my deadpan DH said to the tv, "Buddy, you're going to need a bigger towel than that."