Does an increase in arm muscle size affect swingspeed?

[newyorkstadium]

Would the increase in muscle mass decrease flexibility/swingspeed?

[chrischris]

In most case i say yes .. it can hinder more than it adds. Look at the arms of Fed , Del po, Novak, Berdych , Guga and you see sinewy lean slim muscle and not massive muscle.

[newyorkstadium]

Murray has huge biceps and he has the record forehand speed.

[LeeD]

Swartzenagger has huge biceps, plays at about 3.5 levels, with a short stunted swing.
RHS, you gotta play lots of tennis, regardless of your arm size.

[Itagaki]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Swartzenagger has huge biceps, plays at about 3.5 levels, with a short stunted swing.
RHS, you gotta play lots of tennis, regardless of your arm size.

So Arnold's swing has everything to do with his arm size, and nothing to do with his level of experience, skill, and possible lack of coaching?

[LeeD]

Actually, yes, due to his arm size.
I saw him play a celebrity tourney somewhere in LA. His remark when asked how it felt to be the worse of the foursome was something to the effect that he would have been better had he not had the body build he had, so he could move quicker and setup sooner.
When you have his bicep size, you need shoulder and chest, torso and bulky muscles to support it. His lack of movement was his achilles.

[r2473]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Actually, yes, due to his arm size.
I saw him play a celebrity tourney somewhere in LA. His remark when asked how it felt to be the worse of the foursome was something to the effect that he would have been better had he not had the body build he had, so he could move quicker and setup sooner.
When you have his bicep size, you need shoulder and chest, torso and bulky muscles to support it. His lack of movement was his achilles.

What's wrong with his achilles?

[LeeD]

Didn't some dude beat crap out of a Hector dude but was susceptible to upper heel injuries due to sword strikes or someding like dat?

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by r2473

What's wrong with his achilles?

Could be tendonitis, tendonosis, plantar fasciitis or a tendon about to rupture. I can't make the diagnosis with such limited info.

[3fees]

Originally Posted by newyorkstadium

Would the increase in muscle mass decrease flexibility/swingspeed?

No it doesn't

[WildVolley]

You can't swing hard if you have big biceps. That's why Nadal hits the ball like a little girl. Imagine how hard he could hit it if his arm was skinny like Fed.

[MyrWXguy]

I know guys with pencil thin arms that can hit the heck out of the ball. Big bulky muscles will inhibit your swing more than help it and if you try to swing hard it doesn't generate more power. Power is determined by racket head speed. It has everything to do with technique and full body...legs, torso, etc.

If you want to get more power, strengthen your core and legs and work on your technique.

I gained power just from changing my grip and technique. Went from a deep western with more of a brush forehand to a semi-west with a slightly flatter swing.

[dominikk1985]

tsonga has big arms and he hits one of the hardest FHs an serves.

It doesn't matter if you are bulky or thin. what does matter is if you have the technique and flexibility which is often an issue for bulky people.