Fast Twitch vs. Slow Twitch vs. Flexibility

To be a good diver there are many attributes that you need.  Some divers are born with more “skills” than others.  People in general are either fast twitch, slow twitch, or somewhere inbetween. 

Sprinters for example are fast twitch athletes.   They have quick twitch muscle fibers and can react and move their bodies quicker than the average person.  That is something that cannot be taught or learned.  It is just the way they are.  Divers that spin and twist fast are blessed with fast twitch fibers.  Slow twitch athletes are your distance runners, milers in swimming, and bicyclists.  They do not require quick movements.  Only steady-driven actions.  Most divers are somewhere inbetween the range of fast and slow twitch.

Can you be a slow twitch athlete, and still be a good diver?  To a degree yes.  But it’s like asking someone who is 5′11″ if they would be a good center in basketball.  One way to overcome slower movements is to lift weights and become stronger.  Being strong helps.  For example, Ryan Funderburk is medium/slow twitch. But he is powerful and strong, so that makes up for his lack of speed.  He does not somersault like a bandit, but he can jump to the moon.

The main thing that divers can do to combat this, is to increase their flexibility.  If your muscles are more limber, they will move faster.  Stretching will not make the fibers in your muscles move quicker, but you will increase the range of motion your muscles can move, and they will get to the proper position sooner. 

The two main reasons we stretch is # 1 to prevent injury, and # 2 to increase flexibility.  The more flexible you are, the better of a diver you will become.  EVERYONE watches TOO MUCH TV.  Next time you are sitting on your can, get up and stretch while you are watching.

Two weeks of intense stretching can really make a huge difference in your diving…..

Happy Reading!!!