1
|
Kataoka R, Hammert WB, Yamada Y, Song JS, Seffrin A, Kang A, Spitz RW, Wong V, Loenneke JP. The Plateau in Muscle Growth with Resistance Training: An Exploration of Possible Mechanisms. Sports Med 2024; 54:31-48. [PMID: 37787845 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01932-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
It is hypothesized that there is likely a finite ability for muscular adaptation. While it is difficult to distinguish between a true plateau following a long-term training period and short-term stalling in muscle growth, a plateau in muscle growth has been attributed to reaching a genetic potential, with limited discussion on what might physiologically contribute to this muscle growth plateau. The present paper explores potential physiological factors that may drive the decline in muscle growth after prolonged resistance training. Overall, with chronic training, the anabolic signaling pathways may become more refractory to loading. While measures of anabolic markers may have some predictive capabilities regarding muscle growth adaptation, they do not always demonstrate a clear connection. Catabolic processes may also constrain the ability to achieve further muscle growth, which is influenced by energy balance. Although speculative, muscle cells may also possess cell scaling mechanisms that sense and regulate their own size, along with molecular brakes that hinder growth rate over time. When considering muscle growth over the lifespan, there comes a point when the anabolic response is attenuated by aging, regardless of whether or not individuals approach their muscle growth potential. Our goal is that the current review opens avenues for future experimental studies to further elucidate potential mechanisms to explain why muscle growth may plateau.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Kataoka
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - William B Hammert
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Yujiro Yamada
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Jun Seob Song
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Aldo Seffrin
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Anna Kang
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Robert W Spitz
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Vickie Wong
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Jeremy P Loenneke
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kraemer WJ, Caldwell LK, Post EM, DuPont WH, Martini ER, Ratamess NA, Szivak TK, Shurley JP, Beeler MK, Volek JS, Maresh CM, Todd JS, Walrod BJ, Hyde PN, Fairman C, Best TM. Body Composition in Elite Strongman Competitors. J Strength Cond Res 2020; 34:3326-3330. [PMID: 33235016 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000003763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Kraemer, WJ, Caldwell, LK, Post, EM, DuPont, WH, Martini, ER, Ratamess, NA, Szivak, TK, Shurley, JP, Beeler, MK, Volek, JS, Maresh, CM, Todd, JS, Walrod, BJ, Hyde, PN, Fairman, C, and Best, TM. Body composition in elite strongman competitors. J Strength Cond Res 34(12): 3326-3330, 2020-The purpose of this descriptive investigation was to characterize a group of elite strongman competitors to document the body composition of this unique population of strength athletes. Data were collected from eligible competitors as part of a health screening program conducted over 5 consecutive years. Imaging was acquired using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), providing total body measures of fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral content (BMC). Year to year, testing groups showed a homogenous grouping of anthropometric, body composition, and bone density metrics. Composite averages were calculated to provide an anthropometric profile of the elite strongman competitor (N = 18; mean ± SD): age, 33.0 ± 5.2 years; body height, 187.4 ± 7.1 cm; body mass, 152.9 ± 19.3 kg; body mass index, 43.5 ± 4.8 kg·m; fat mass, 30.9 ± 11.1 kg; lean mass, 118.0 ± 11.7 kg, body fat, 18.7 ± 6.2%, total BMC, 5.23 ± 0.41 kg, and bone mineral density, 1.78 ± 0.14 g·cm. These data demonstrate that elite strongman competitors are among the largest human male athletes, and in some cases, they are at the extreme limits reported for body size and structure. Elite strongman competitors undergo a high degree of mechanical stress, providing further insight into the potent role of physical training in mediating structural remodeling even into adulthood. Such data provide a glimpse into a unique group of competitive athletes pushing the limits not only of human performance but also of human physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William J Kraemer
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Lydia K Caldwell
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Emily M Post
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - William H DuPont
- School of Health Sciences-Biomedical Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut
| | - Emily R Martini
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Nicholas A Ratamess
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, the College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey
| | - Tunde K Szivak
- School of Health Sciences, Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts
| | - Jason P Shurley
- Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Coaching, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin
| | - Matthew K Beeler
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jeff S Volek
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Carl M Maresh
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Janice S Todd
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, University of Texas, at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Bryant J Walrod
- The Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute, OSU Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Parker N Hyde
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ciaran Fairman
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia; and
| | - Thomas M Best
- Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute, Coral Gables, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abe T, Bell ZW, Wong V, Spitz RW, Yamada Y, Song JS, Loenneke JP. Skeletal muscle size distribution in large‐sized male and female athletes. Am J Hum Biol 2020; 33:e23473. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Abe
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, & Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory The University of Mississippi University Mississippi USA
| | - Zachary W. Bell
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, & Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory The University of Mississippi University Mississippi USA
| | - Vickie Wong
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, & Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory The University of Mississippi University Mississippi USA
| | - Robert W. Spitz
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, & Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory The University of Mississippi University Mississippi USA
| | - Yujiro Yamada
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, & Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory The University of Mississippi University Mississippi USA
| | - Jun Seob Song
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, & Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory The University of Mississippi University Mississippi USA
| | - Jeremy P. Loenneke
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, & Recreation Management, Kevser Ermin Applied Physiology Laboratory The University of Mississippi University Mississippi USA
| |
Collapse
|