Bodyfat% to overall health.

[Nota]

I was just doing a comparison between Frank Zane a bodybuilder and Akebono a Sumo wrestler, in reference to weight lifting and good health. Do you think a guy can be that big and still be healthy, I mean considering he works-out. In reference to BP and Blood Sugar.

[EcksOa]

Sumo wrestlers seem to carry their weight differently than the average obese person. I read an article once where they studied some sumo wrestlers and found that they carried their fat primarily under the skin, rather than intramuscularly. That tends to make a difference as far as risk for cardio-vascular disease. And sumo are said to have strong hearts like many pro athletes due to their vigorous training.

But it's also widely accepted amongst sumo that early death is common. I've read mid-50s thrown out a lot as an average age span for sumo.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/...70518opi7.html

That article interviews a couple in the sumo sport regarding health concerns for the wrestlers.

[Nota]

Originally Posted by EcksOa

Sumo wrestlers seem to carry their weight differently than the average obese person. I read an article once where they studied some sumo wrestlers and found that they carried their fat primarily under the skin, rather than intramuscularly. That tends to make a difference as far as risk for cardio-vascular disease. And sumo are said to have strong hearts like many pro athletes due to their vigorous training.

But it's also widely accepted amongst sumo that early death is common. I've read mid-50s thrown out a lot as an average age span for sumo.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/...70518opi7.html

That article interviews a couple in the sumo sport regarding health concerns for the wrestlers.

That is a good article, it seems most of their health problems come when they retire from the sport though.

[britonarius]

Most people extremely obese rarely survive into the mid - 50's - its too much for the internal organs and undoubtably sumo wrestling is the same! whilst the training might be intense - the duration of matches is miniscule - less than 90 seconds on average and often only 20 seconds or less. Lifting up such a bulk is in its self an immense effort! With all sports there is a strain on the body - that often limits life but with sumo , whilst it is a cultural thing - the risk is increased 100 fold.