arms and legs

[magentared]

Hows comes the runners taking part in the marathon have quite skinny legs but those in wheelchairs have really musclely arms?

It would make sense that they would have big muscles if they used your arms alot but them wouldn't the runners have chunky legs too?

Thanks

[Scarlett]

Isn't it down to the specific type of exercise they are doing? The arms are basically lifting and pulling- the sort of exercise you would do to get bigger muscles. But the legs are doing aerobic exercise which makes them skinny, yet also muscley. Mr. Universe has massive legs, I imagine, just through specific exercises. If he started running miles and miles every day he would lose weight- from his legs too. That's my guess anyway.

[stevie21]

Your muscles develop in different ways if you need them for power or endurance. Although the folk in wheelchairs need endurance they need much more power in their arms than the average bloke in the street.

Paula Radcliffe's legs don't need to be stronger than mine, just be able to keep going for longer. If she had huge muscular legs, they'd weigh more, tire more easily and slow her down.