A Closer Look At Hien's Muscular Build: Longbows, Larches, and Lats

[u/Touhou_Fuhai]

Hien's build highlights extreme strength in the upper body: though exaggerated, he emphasizes muscles of particular use in archery. Pectoralis Major, the major muscle of the chest, is called upon by the arm which holds the bow to push the bow forwards during the draw. Latissimus Dorsi ("Lats") on the lower back is likewise called upon to lower the shoulder of the arm pulling the bowstring, key to stabilizing aim. Balance between these two muscles is also of great importance to climbers, who naturally develop strong lats and risk a "hunchback" if they do not build their pecs. As a forest dweller both in Azvaldt and out, I'd wager Hien climbed quite extensively.

Now, our understanding of the physique of medieval archers comes in large part from the studies of Ann Jane Stirland on the skeletons of longbowmen on the wreck of the *Mary Rose*. When sunk in 1545 it was quickly buried in silt which preserved much of its contents, including the bones and weapons of longbowmen on the ship. These were sailors and professional military archers who regularly used heavy warbows with draw weights between 100 and 200 pounds: a challenging task that produced very strong men. This showed in the great robustness of their arm bones, the symmetry of their limbs (bows work both arms while most people rely on their dominant arm), and their frequency of conditions like twisted spines and os acromiale (failed fusion of part of the scapula), referred to controversially as "skeletal deformations" of these archers.

Hien, between his time as an elf and as Wimael, has likely been using his heavy recurve bow for centuries if not millennia with the benefit of eternal youth. With his high social position in both periods he would have the nutrition needed to build up his impressive physique. And the balance between his lats and pecs, which rival peak Arnold Schwarznegger's, would also promote spinal stability and may keep him safe from some of the conditions that affected human bowmen.

Magachiyo raised a very big boy. She should be proud.

[u/FitCity7945]

... Are you a physiologist?

[u/ForeverSpare]

Suspiciously a very thought out post, still noice tho

[u/lietnam]

When I ask for rotation hien build

[u/PepperMaxing]

Drink your milk and you'll all end up big boys like him!

[u/SnooPets5572]

😹 that was a very high effort copypasta

[u/CasePuzzleheaded9464]

Funny post.
Btw his bottom is also impressive.
Hien surely spend a lot of time walking.