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This chart shows that reduction in height and weight gives a clear advantage in the relationship of body surface area to weight. Tiny Amanda Coetzer, who is not below ideal weight for her height, has the greatest surface to mass ratio. One might object that Petr Korda at 75 inches and a body surface area/kg of 290cm2 contradicts this statement, but it must be remembered that at 41 pounds below ideal weight, Korda was not a very effective player. It was only when he gained 15 pounds that his competitiveness improved significantly. Seen differently, if Marcelo Rios (280cm2/kg) and Todd Martin (245 cm2/kg) play a match in very hot and humid conditions, Rios has a 14% advantage in the ability to cool down through sweating. If we think in terms of tiny, invisible air conditioners, Rios has 8 and Martin has 7. In very difficult conditions, this could easily be the margin of victory. What can Todd Martin do about this? He can't get any shorter. Martin can lose weight, but to achieve 280cm2/kg he would have to lose 28 pounds to 162 pounds. This disastrous weight loss would put him 20% below ideal weight, while Rios is only 10% below ideal weight. It is inconceivable that Martin could compete effectively at that weight. There is no apparent solution to this size-related disparity in the ability to dissipate heat by evaporation of sweat. |
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