What approximately is the body fat range for world class male sprinters (lowest and highest)? I remember Clemson stating once that none of the top sprinters in the world are 10 per cent…
Body fat percentages will vary between genders, but for men, you will see a range from 5-10%. It also varies on how the percentage was measured. Intramuscular fat stores cannot be meausured unless you use a Dunk Tank or better yet DEXA.
In addition to diet, training and genetics, remember that stress also affects body fat levels via cortisol secretion. Increases in bodyfat or a resistance to reduction might be an indication of too much stress (i.e. not enough recovery).
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Is it an optical illusion or do black male sprinters seem more cut up than the white guys??
Goose 1: I highly doubt the body fat levels you are stating! As far as I know, some bodybuilding dude (I don’t remember his name) had the lowest BF level ever (measured by hydrostatic weighing) of 2.4%.
Watch out not to lose too much fat, since it is an excellent hormonal modulator. Leaner doesn’t necessarily mean faster. In fact, I gained a bit of fat lately, and my performance increased compared to the time I was quite lean (6-7%). I believe, for every athlete there is a certain BF level that shouldn’t be passed.
Any opinions on this?
I believe its due to the colour of their skin 
Thats why bodybuilders tan before contests, it brings out “the cuts” more.
Then again they could just be pasty white dough boys
D.
Carl Lewis got his bodyfat down to 3% after changing his diet in 1989. Before that, it was apparantly 6%. Ian Mackie, a white sprinter from Britain has 4.5% bodyfat.
Me, I’m one of those guys that has to moniter bodyfat levels. My aim is to get down to 4.5%, and if I have to have a Bruce Lee (1.5% at the time of “Enter the Dragon”) lifestyle to get down to 4.5% then so be it.:karate:
Be carefull not to overdo your fat reduction :karate: It will only have a negative effect on your hormonal status and in the long run, decrease your power output.
anyone obsessed with lowering their BF should check out Clarence Bass’s web site (www.cbass.com). He’s a Master’s body builder… and lean like hell: Diet is the key.
While I don’t endorse some of their methods, I believe one should focus on the training and everything will fall in place.
I’ve got a digital scale and my body fat seems to never get lower than 15%. Is there any tips to help me lower my body fat?
I’ve got a digital scale and my body fat seems to never get lower than 15%. Is there any tips to help me lower my body fat?
Yah, get a new scale
Seriously, those scales aren’t that accurate, try getting a caliper test done.
D.
what should be a good bodyfat level for a sprinter?
I don’t think I am good at guessing BF levels. But as I said before: in my opinion, it is possible to become too lean for a sprinter!
I don’t think I am good at guessing BF levels. But as I said before: in my opinion, it is possible to become too lean for a sprinter!
Does anyone know how much bodyfat John Regis was carrying? He was 1,81 m (about 6 ft.) and 98 kg! That’s extremely heavy, but I’m sure he wasn’t fat…
I don’t thnk he was ever that heavy
clemson and others
what method do you use on your athletes? ive seen on TV a huge machine (similar in size to a cat scan) that apperantly measures everything, bones mass, muscle, water weight etc. have you seen, used or heard of it?
The ‘eyes’ have it.
Motion carried. 
The other methods are all airy fairy and don’t mean anything anyway. As Arnold used to say, jump up and down and see what jiggles - oh… please wear trouser when you do this
Clemson,
"The leanest sprinter I have ever seen is Jon Drummond at Indoor nationals in 1999. I could see every fiber in his calves, It was so impressive that I just stared for minutes marveling at God's handywork...after creating sprinters I think he took two days off! "
What, I can’t get any props???
LOL
What about Tony Dees?
the darker the skin and eyes, the less fat the person will hjave (by nature)