Which sport requires the most out of an athlete?

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

This was already done by ESPN (I don't remember when exactly but something like 2005), giving points on different requirements for each sport, the finals was cycling with boxing, boxing came on top as the most demanding sport.

This is a different article from ESPN, still the same outcome regarding boxing.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by PMPB

The OP brought up F1 racing and said that it's way harder than these other pansy sports. I think F1 sort of opens the door for events where the competitors are interacting in an indirect way.

Fair enough. I really just read the post subject line, and took "sport" in the literal sense. All sports in, absolutely I agree with the triathlon type guys/gals.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by PMPB

IronMan Triathlon

I could probably never bike 180km, nor run a marathon, I'm not built for it.

Ironman Triathlon? There are a very select portion of the global population who have the physique, mental endurance, and training to even finish.

Originally Posted by coyote

No-one has heard of the Tour de France?

I don't know how anyone completes that without drugs, let alone win.

I think that you guys severely underestimate the potential of YOUR human body, it may take five to ten years of training but I really think that either of you can complete those events (barring medical problems) if you choose to do so.

Originally Posted by jarviz

I just don't see the physical demand (workouts) required from a driver or a motocross biker when compared to other sports, but I'd love to see what kind of physical training drivers go through just so I can gain some knowledge.

Button has competed in half Iron Man, during racing season:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/for...an-Brazil.html

Most F1 drivers train as triathletes.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAykMktOsU4"]How fit are Formula 1 Drivers? - YouTube[/ame]

Mark Martin set the standard for American drivers:
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/03/06/fi...workout-buffs/
(sorry for the fluff article, but relevant content is in there)

I would guess that most professional racing drivers put in as much work as any other athlete competing in the sports mentioned above, along with the mental fortitude and contributions to developing the car.

[kask2_6.0]

NASCAR is obviously the pinnacle of fitness..

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by kask2_6.0

NASCAR is obviously the pinnacle of fitness..

Meh, laugh all you want, he wasn't winning any championships looking like that.





In any case you should probably check out the five time champion instead of taking a guy at his low point.



http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...athon/1918999/

[Diode Dynamics]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Meh, laugh all you want, he wasn't winning any championships looking like that.





In any case you should probably check out the five time champion instead of taking a guy at his low point.



http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...athon/1918999/

Damnit! I was going to post the Tony Stewart jokes!



Lol, every time I think of marathons now



Seriously though, F1 is probably the most difficult sport in the world and physically / mentally challenging.

Nick C.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Diode Dynamics

Seriously though, F1 is probably the most difficult sport in the world and physically / mentally challenging.

Nick C.

Part of the reason I love Montoya is that he shows how difficult NASCAR really is, he was a championship contender in F1 and struggles to break out of the mid field in NASCAR. You can talk about how he's at an equipment disadvantage but when people like Trevor Bayne with the Wood Bros. and Keselowski with Phoneix Racing can pull off oval wins how can it elude Montoya with the backing of Ganassi and Earnhardt?

The comparisons when drivers swap (Montoya/Gordan, Stewart/Hamilton) are interesting, the F1 guys talk about how difficult it is to control a stock car while the NASCAR guys talk about how they wish they had that much grip.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86lQaRq5N4U"]Lewis Hamilton & Tony Stewart - Seat Swap Special F1 & NASCAR at Watkins Glen [Full Footage] - YouTube[/ame]



Edit forgot about Raikkonen's foray, he did well but wasn't setting anything on fire like F1 purists would have you believe.

[Rayme]

Lots of interesting points here!

-Moto GP takes balls of steels, Isle of Man is the craziest thing out there. Lots of mental focus and quick reflexes.
-Formula 1 takes years of practice to be able to drive up to their levels and incredible mental stamina too.
-MMA is as hard as your direct competitor. So it would be in line with boxing and other fighting events.
-Motocross event requires alot of strength and endurance
-Triathlon are demanding but anyone could compete and complete one with moderate training, but obviously finishing in the top 3 would require more.

Anything else? Keep it up!

[MikesFRS]

Badminton

[R_E_L]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Not really a sport though. More a feat of strength.

Of course it is a sport, it's three of them packed into one!

[Allch Chcar]

Chess. Just for the insane level required to anticipate opponent's moves.

Originally Posted by MikesFRS

Badminton

That's tennis for yuppies.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ2k-tsX5KE"]Crazy badminton - YouTube[/ame]