Could somebody explain to me how Michael Phelps is doing this?

Question

I watched him swim in the 4x200 metre relay. (i missed the previous individual race today because I was out)

This guy doesn't even seem to be putting in as many strokes in the water as his competitors. He just seems to glide through the water and then develops a full body lead!

I really don't know much about swimming, so could someone with the knowledge please explain to me how he is doing this!

Amazing. Simply Amazing!

Answer 1

He's awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! d**n, I don't know how the h**l he's doing it!!!!! he drives me crazy!!!!!

it's days I'm thinking how he can do this and still no answer just I think he has a strong character and he's hard-working and he must be so clever.

I love the way he does in Olympic.

he swims like he was living and swimming in the pool all his life and every thing's under his control and he knows exactly what he's doing... that's the only thing I know and I know that he's the only one who really deserves Gold, all of golds.

I wish him the bests.

Answer 2

There are many factors that could increase his speed. I think the most likely one would be that although he uses less strokes, he exerts more power in each one. Also, his suit conforms with his body perfectly decreasing drag and increasing speed. Another thing is that his body is built differently than his competitors and he was just born for swimming. Who knows? Anyway, I hope this answers your question. ;)

Answer 3

basically he's a beast.

Answer 4

Becuase he is amazing!! He has a really long torso, and glids through the water. I mean its all in that last turn.. he has an amazing flip and is always right back in the race if he is behind. Its just amazing to watch! He is like a dolphin! haha

Answer 5

He has double jointed knees.... that probably has something to do with it :)

Answer 6

First, Phelps is a genetic freak.  He has abilities, due to genetics, that others simply do not have.  All athletes at that level are also genetic freaks.  Consider Lance Armstrong ... he has abnormally high lung capacity and an abnormally large (due to genetics and athletics) heart.

Second ... Phelps is a coach's dream as the guy LOVES to practice and practices 7 days a week.  He skipped much of college so that he could concentrate on preparing for this week.  He also practices very hard and is incredible condition.  That means that he has been swimming somewhere around 8 - 10 miles a day for several years.  He has now rested from that grueling work-out schedule and, as a result, his (like others) body does what is called, "super-compensate" from the stress he has placed.  That super-compensation allows an athlete to perform at a higher level (normally about 3%) than his/her normal performance level. Swimmers call that process tapering and Phelps has tapered beautifully.

Third ... his strokes are nearly perfect.  I've coached for 30 years and I've seen few swimmers with such beautiful stroke mechanics.

Fourth ... If you listen to him, he LOVES to race.

Fifth ... With all of those things going for him, he (and others) is the beneficiary of technology in the suit he is wearing.  In the past, a rule existed that prohibited a swimmer from using substances that are applied to the skin that would make the skin too slippery.  Clearly, that suit does exactly that and is not being included in that rule.

Answer 7

He is so strong underwater and has an amazingly fast kick, therefore his stroke count is lower than others.

Answer 8

hes awesome..simple as that

legend says he was raised by sharks lol jk jk

Answer 9

What u have described meant MP swim like a fish .

He should be called MPS (Shark)

Answer 10

hes so great!

that race was amazing,

Answer 11

its just a matter of time. be patient and wait ;)