General Discussion Triathlon Talk » does height matter? Rss Feed  
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2014-10-14 8:19 AM
in reply to: austhokie

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Subject: RE: does height matter?

Originally posted by austhokie
Originally posted by mike761
Originally posted by JorgeM

Pam - I am going to the say no, it doesnt matter in particular for females. The current Olympic Gold Medalist Emma Snowsill is 5' 3" (per the ITU website)

Just have fun, train and do the work. The performance will follow

^^^ Agree I have a neighbor who was a distance runner in the 96 Olympics she is 5'-2", her husband was a professional runner for 4-5 years after college and is only 5"-6". Their twin daughters are in high school right now and tear up the track at a whopping 5'-0"!!! I'm reading this and lots are saying that the best pro men are 6' to 6'-3"; yet on the Kona thread people are saying Andy Potts is too tall to win(he's 6'-2"). Then there's Mirinda Carfrae at 5'-3", nobody is calling her slow
zombie thread

When I saw it was a zombie thread with the topic of height, my first thought was that someone resurrected it to talk about Rinny's win on Saturday.

 

 



2014-10-14 8:26 AM
in reply to: austhokie

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Subject: RE: does height matter?

I think it matters because weight matters and the smaller you are the less of you there (probably) is.

Watching the pro women at Kona you’d be forgiven for thinking there was an elite midget category.

2014-10-14 8:35 AM
in reply to: Dan-L


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Subject: RE: does height matter?
In long distance/marathon running. There is an advantage to being smaller. You generate less heat and dissipate it more efficiently. If you look at the elite marathoners, most of them have a very similar build.

2014-10-14 9:52 AM
in reply to: tcovert

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
Originally posted by tcovert

There was a thread here sometime this year discussing some analysis of "ideal" body types for endurance sports that had found its way into the NY Times...too lazy to find the thread, but this was the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/health/nutrition/27Best.html?_r=1...




Good article but the picture of the two guys was kind of comical. The tall guy was obviously very fit and lean and the short guy didn't even look like an athlete, at least not an elite athlete. Anyway, my input is that it depends on your sport, but for running I agree that the advantage goes to smaller and lighter runners. It isn't enough though just to be shorter, you have to be as light as you can possibly be and still be healthy to take advantage of less mass and torso to pick up and move forward. You only need to look as elite marathoners to get that message.

I am fairly short and light female (5'4" and 109) with longer legs compared to torso size, so really ideal for running. Luckily that is the sport I chose to concentrate more on. Not ever going to win a swim portion of the TRI, but I am alright with that.
2014-10-14 10:01 AM
in reply to: topolina

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Subject: RE: does height matter?

I remember this being discussed in slowtwitch and the point made was that it being a bit taller helps a ton in cycling.  Taller people have longer muscles and naturally larger aerobic engines (it takes more work to move a larger body).  However, in cycling you can still get in a low enough position to where your power/CdA is higher than someone of shorter stature.  It was an interesting discussion.

Yes there will be shorter people that can beat taller people, but we're talking most cases and not exceptions to the rule.

2014-10-14 12:49 PM
in reply to: austhokie

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Subject: RE: does height matter?

My wife always laugh when I am on the top podium and the person in second place is still taller than me. I may not have a long stride but I do have a quick turnover.


2014-10-14 12:58 PM
in reply to: GODAWGS

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Subject: RE: does height matter?

Of course height matters....the same way it does in every sport.  At either end of the spectrum are the sports where a lack of height or an abundance of height makes a difference.......but in between, where the majority of sports are, being in that 6' to 6'4" range seems to work out really well. Triathlon, at least whe3re men are concerned, seems to fit the mold.

2014-10-14 1:34 PM
in reply to: custer

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
In distance running (since the thread seems to be going back and forth between triathlon and distance running) I would say not at all. Haile Gebrselassie, who is arguably the greatest distance runner in recent history is 5'-5". I don't know of any elite marathoners over 6'. When it comes to triathlon though, I would say some extra height can help in the swim, but honestly, you're better off just having long arms, big hands, big feet and short legs (see Michael Phelps). I can't tell you about biking though.
2014-10-14 1:47 PM
in reply to: #1790990

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
Newly crowned world champion, Rinny Carfrae, is quite short. Didn't stop her from
Running a 2:50 marathon at Kona!
2014-10-14 1:53 PM
in reply to: Left Brain

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
Originally posted by Left Brain

Of course height matters....the same way it does in every sport.  At either end of the spectrum are the sports where a lack of height or an abundance of height makes a difference.......but in between, where the majority of sports are, being in that 6' to 6'4" range seems to work out really well. Triathlon, at least whe3re men are concerned, seems to fit the mold.




Craig Alexander 5'-10"
Alister Brownlee 6'-1"
Jonathan Brownlee 5'-10"
Matt Reed 6'-5"
Greg Bennett 5'-11"
Javier Gomez 5'-10"
Simon Whitfield 5'-10"
Chris McCormack 5'-11"
Simon Lessing 6'-3 1/2"
Dave Scott 6'-0"
Mark Allen 6'-0"
Andy Potts 6'-3"
Hunter Kemper 6'-3"

Quick search gave some numbers of coarse there are a lot more athletes to look at.( Don't shoot me if any are wrong I sourced it from internet searches)

Looking at this list would suggest the sweet spot in height for men in triathlon 5'-11" to 6'-0" if its really a factor at all.
2014-10-14 2:48 PM
in reply to: austhokie

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
Height is not an advantage or disadvantage, although you'll often hear short people complaining that they are disadvantaged. What matters most is how much weight you carry on your frame. Most elite marathoners are small, but some are taller.


2014-10-14 2:54 PM
in reply to: #5059780

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
That a 5.3 woman is the current leader doesn't mean that shorter is better.

It just means that that are a LOT of factors that determine the outcome.

When you have a question like this try to make it bigger.

Will a 11 feet guy beat a 3 feet guy when they are both walking (and of course have identical stamina)
2014-10-14 2:55 PM
in reply to: Martine1975

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Subject: RE: does height matter?

It's been 6 years since I posted in this thread and I can tell you, that being 6'7" still hasn't proven out to be an advantage in tri! 

I think there is a point where the weight that comes with being tall starts to trump longer "levers" and such.

2014-10-14 2:58 PM
in reply to: 0

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
Originally posted by Martine1975

That a 5.3 woman is the current leader doesn't mean that shorter is better.

It just means that that are a LOT of factors that determine the outcome.

When you have a question like this try to make it bigger.

Will a 11 feet guy beat a 3 feet guy when they are both walking (and of course have identical stamina)


The world's tallest man is 8'3"

Edited by TriJedi 2014-10-14 2:59 PM
2014-10-14 3:00 PM
in reply to: mike761

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Subject: RE: does height matter?

Originally posted by mike761
Originally posted by Left Brain

Of course height matters....the same way it does in every sport.  At either end of the spectrum are the sports where a lack of height or an abundance of height makes a difference.......but in between, where the majority of sports are, being in that 6' to 6'4" range seems to work out really well. Triathlon, at least whe3re men are concerned, seems to fit the mold.

Craig Alexander 5'-10" Alister Brownlee 6'-1" Jonathan Brownlee 5'-10" Matt Reed 6'-5" Greg Bennett 5'-11" Javier Gomez 5'-10" Simon Whitfield 5'-10" Chris McCormack 5'-11" Simon Lessing 6'-3 1/2" Dave Scott 6'-0" Mark Allen 6'-0" Andy Potts 6'-3" Hunter Kemper 6'-3" Quick search gave some numbers of coarse there are a lot more athletes to look at.( Don't shoot me if any are wrong I sourced it from internet searches) Looking at this list would suggest the sweet spot in height for men in triathlon 5'-11" to 6'-0" if its really a factor at all.

7 out of 12 are 6' or taller.....9 of 12 if you go down to 5'11.......I'm good with 6-6'4" for most athletic endeavors, including tri.

2014-10-14 3:05 PM
in reply to: Left Brain

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Subject: RE: does height matter?

If your shoe size is proportional to your height, then I am going to say that height does matter in swimming. My SOs feet are the same size as my swim fins and man, I swim faster with those fins.



2014-10-14 3:05 PM
in reply to: audiojan

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
Originally posted by audiojan

Newly crowned world champion, Rinny Carfrae, is quite short. Didn't stop her from
Running a 2:50 marathon at Kona!


I'm reluctant to add on....

But Seb Kienle is only 5' 9" and he did ok on Saturday as well.
2014-10-14 8:25 PM
in reply to: wannabefaster


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Subject: RE: does height matter?
The lighter I get, the less pain I experience and the more I can push while training. Also, the heavier I get, the longer pain stays.

I would believe that being smaller allows you to train harder and recuperate faster.

As to whether you will be faster than taller ones, everybody has fun in triathlon and everybody improves over time. I am part of the slowest which means I am also part of the ones receiving the largest amount of encouragement . Still I am pretty I proud when I improve my times.
2014-10-14 8:54 PM
in reply to: Antoine tri

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
I'm beginning to learn that I have a bonus in this sport. I'm 6'3", but only weigh 165lbs. Been called everything from cardboard to Skelletor... Of course my goal is to get up to 180lbs, while maintaining my current body composition... I want to gain the strength to truly generate lots of power. Leg strength and lats...
2014-10-14 10:26 PM
in reply to: custer

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Subject: RE: does height matter?

For marathon running- you're right in there with the elites.  Marathon runners are fairly petite.

 

My guess is that you seem to be working harder than your son because:

1.  he's a guy.  (sorry, it's just not fair)

2.  He's younger than you.  (yup, not fair again

 

 

anyway- I found this.  It's a few years old, but since then, the average marathoner is only been getting shorter and smaller.

 

Top 10 Women for 2005
1) Paula Radcliffe (Great Britian) 5'8" / 119 lbs
2) Catherine Ndereba (Kenya) 5'3" / 99 lbs
3) Jelena Prokopcuka (Latvia) 5'6" / 112 lbs
4) Constantina Tomescu (Romania) 5'5" / 106 lbs
5) Deena Kastor (United States) 5'4.25" / 106 lbs
6) Mizuki Noguchi (Japan) 4'11" / 90 lbs
7) Susan Chepkemei (Kenya) 5'4.5" / 106 lbs
8) Derartu Tulu (Ethiopia) 5'1" / 99 lbs
9) Chunxiu Zhou (China) 5'4.25" / 97 lbs
10) Yumiko Hara (Japan) 5'4.5" / 108 lbs.


Read more: http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=1164007#ixzz3GBFh...

2014-10-14 10:32 PM
in reply to: morey000

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
I HATE ZOMBIE THREADS!!!


2014-10-15 12:02 AM
in reply to: mike761

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
Andy is not too tall... Frodo is taller and was 3rd at his first go at Kona.
2014-10-15 12:48 AM
in reply to: #1790990

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
I just saw a runnersworld article about something related to this. They were talking about the first 2 hour flat marathon to be and mentioned the hypothetical runner (projected for ~2025 interestingly) would be 5'6" so a lot shorter than me at 6'1" hehe Just wanted to add this.
2014-10-15 10:38 AM
in reply to: ChemNerd23


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Subject: RE: does height matter?
Glad this zobbie thread popped up. I finally figured out why I'm not even close to the 24mph bike avg I could do 28 yrs ago. It's not because I'm older, its because I'm barely 5'10" and back then I was just about 5' 11" ! It's that missing inch that makes me so much slower!
2014-10-15 10:50 AM
in reply to: ChemNerd23

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Subject: RE: does height matter?
I'm 6`2" with a 6`4" wing span - may have helped get me in the national squad for swimming as a kid (granted I wasn't 6`2 then, but always had a long reach). That also helped when I was a pole vaulter as I could hold slightly higher.

But I'm 85kg with 10% body fat. I don't have the typical body type for endurance, that's why I've always stuck to sprint based sports - up to 200m swimming, pole vault I had a 40m run up.

I think body type may be a bigger factor that height.
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