While Body Builders are quite fit. . . I would not call them Athletic To an extent I feel the same way about Runners and Cyclist They tests of endurance, speed or strength More than Skill [not saying they have no skill] I consider Athletics = Fit + Skills Golfers use to be skilled but not very fit [it is changing] so I did not consider them Athletes So I am changing a bit on it what is your opinion on this one Rocket River
I think there can be a good debate about this. When i think of what your saying people like Pool Players come to mind. They have great skills but don't have to be athletic. It is still in some ways considered a sport but the players are not "athletes" in the normal sense. As far as cyclists i think they are athletes becuase even though they have edurance etc, they still have to be skilled at what they do to know when to push themselves when to relax. A lot of timing takes part in racing of any kind especially the long distance ones. Much like we all saw in horse racing. knowing when to comeo on strong makes a big difference. I dont think golfers fall in the athlectic category as well, even though they are skilled players there is no much activity involoved in riding around a golf cart. Body builders, hmm i could say in a way they are athlectic cuase they do different activities but that doesn't always mean they are going to be good at any sport. I know they consider that a sport as well but i don't think it's a convential sport and i don't look at them as full on athletes.
There's a lot of strategy in cycling and YOU try to descend down a mountain road at 60 miles an hour without killing yourself. It seems to me there is a whole lot of skill with regard to bike handling in those circumstances.
you can be fit without being athletic... but it'd be hard to be athletic without being fit... that's what i think.
There's a difference between a speed & power athlete and a skinny kid that can run 10 miles. Sapp is fit.
How so . . . The Boston Marathoners. . . I see as EXTREME fit but Low Athletic Same even with Sprinters Rocket River
What does it take to be an athlete then? besides the fit+skills theory.. I think sprinters are pretty athletic as well as physically fit.
I guess the common perception of being fit is having endurance. I just don't agree with that. Normally when someone is called a good athlete, they mean in the general sense they can compete well in most sports. Most sports do not have much of an endurance component. When people call a basketball or football player a good athlete, they mean he can jump high, run fast, be explosive, etc. which also has very little to do with endurance and is also inversely related. Just because those that are large, explosive, etc. can't run a mile in under 5 minutes, a marathon, or have a ton of general endurance, they still all have a fitness base to support them.
So the ability to transcend your sport like the nike commercial .. with Vick and the linebacker playing hockey I can see that . . Rocket rIver
definition per webster's collegiate dictionary athlete n : one who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility or stamina athletic adj. : 1. of or relating to athletes or athletics 2. characteristics of an athlete; esp: vigorous, active 3. MESOMORPHIC 4. used by athletes so by definition cyclists and runners ARE athletes and athletic. because each of the sports requires skill, physical strength, agility and stamina.