Who Are The Fittest Athletes?

This is a question that has derailed the brightest minds for centuries.  What athletes in which sport are THE fittest athletes?  I am not asking about who are the BEST athletes. But who are in the best shape based on the sport that they are participating in. 

Most people want to jump on the football bandwagon.  But let’s be really objective and take a look at this really carefully.  Yes – there is endurance, strength, and physical battery which is what most folks will say puts football over the edge.  But put these guys on a treadmill and how long would these guys last?

Lineman, don’t even think about it.

Basketball players have to be near the top of the list with the amount of running they do.  Soccer players with the bigger field and no time outs probably come out ahead.

I take cross country runners and track guys out because there is no physical contact involved and what I call alternative skills.  Such as dribbling a ball while running.  Running a straight mile is a lot different if you throw in someone banging on you or having to bounce a ball.

Then there is water polo.  Skeptics will argue that they are in the water and the athletes are not sweating.  Do not let those Gatorade commercials mis-guide you into thinking that perspiration is the indicator of the body’s level of exertion.  There are 2 tests that I have done and you can do at your local pool.

First, see how long you can tread water (for you non-water people, this means keeping your head above water without a flotation device) before calling for your mother.

Second, if you think you are in shape, dive in and swim 50 meters, or approximately 2 lengths of the pool, as fast as you can.  I suggest you not do this shortly after a meal.

Add in the fact that these athletes never touch bottom, have to swim with and throw a ball, and have an opponent try to drown you every now and then with an occasional kick to the gut.

Water polo players are the fittest athletes.  What do you think?