Is there Any Proof that Being Bigger Makes You Slower?

[peacerenity]

So I've heard the traditional argument that being bigger and stronger makes you slower/less agile. The stronger part makes no sense to me, but what about getting bigger? Are there diminishing returns at a certain point, or are people good as long as they keep their bodyfat low?

[Marotta]

If you take the light inline four out of a honda, and stick a big, heavier 351 v8 in it, is it slower?

[The Emancipated Freak]

It really seems like this concept came straight out of a video game. Big slow guy vs. small fast guy. I really can't grasp how it would slow you down. At all.

[Jefferson]

Just watch the olympics next year and you'll get some pretty solid evidence.

[Carnivroar]

Bigger people have more resistance against the air so skinny is better for running and swimming. I think.

However bigger athletes have more momentum than skinner ones, meaning they're harder to stop, which is good for football.

[Evan: Now With Food]

I'd imagine at some point it would come down to training time. It would be difficult for, say, an Olympic caliber sprinter to train hard enough to get faster AND train hard enough to get a 700lb squat just because workouts at that level take time to recover from.

But I'd also imagine most people will never get to that level. I seem to remember Barry Sanders being rather fast and agile, and he could squat 600lb at a solid 5'8" and 210.

[the big chill]

Idk, ask Lebron James.

[OCG]

It also depends what you mean by "big". At 6' 170lbs vs. 220lbs? Not slower no. But say +260lbs? Well, kind of yes. It just becomes harder to move yourself and results in a lot more impact etc. after a certain point. This point is pretty high though, especially if it's quality weight.

[peanuts-nuts]

I think there's a difference between big-fat and big-in shape.

[Jamie J. Skibicki]

Even size due to mucsle will eventually start to slow you down, just like at some point having more money doesn't have any impact on your life. Most people will never get there.

The bigger issue is that training for size is not the same as training for strength for people beyond novice and that is where you get into problems.