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I have a question about how to determine what is ones body potential, how far progress can be made. My presumption is that development of the muscle is limited by some other factors eg. muscle density, number of fibers per muscle, even the bone structure (since the bones support whole body, muscles as well). Can training affect, increase to be more precise, this potential? Or is this something beyond our influence.

The standard idea is ′ genetic potential ′ so one could only maximize this. Perform the proper type of exercise and try to pay attention and optimize all recovery factors, you could then get as close to your genetic potential as possible this way. I have some friends who lift very heavy, and have done so for years, their wrists and bones meause larger than when they started, but I still beleive this is just an example of maximizing one′s potential. 🙂

Az

I wouldn′t be too concerned about possible potential limitations but more concerned if I was doing everything possible towards reaching my best instead. I realize that wasn′t your thoughts per se, but I just want to remind people that we do what we can with what we have.

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jim

GENETIC POTENTIAL is the BLUEPRINT of ones Physical CAPABILITY . It′s impossible to PREDICT genetic potential although those factors you mentioned (muscle density , bone structure, etc.) may contribute to the BIG PICTURE . Their was this new study about the MYOSTATIN GENE which is suppose to CONTROL muscle growth and they found out that in some individuals that have a genetic mutation whereby their physiology inhibit the FUNCTION of this gene they are usually the ones who develop EXTRAORDINARY MUSCLE SIZE ! Anyway I believe GENETIC POTENTIAL is one Physiological reality that NOBODY could ever PREDICT PRECISELY ! PEACE.

Our DNA maps it out for us. It determines EXACTLY how large our muscles can potentially get. Not just "in general", but my right bicep can get X size and my left bicep can get Y size.

Until we know the full DNA mappings and understand them (which I personally feel will probably never happen), all we can do is look at how our parents are. We USUALLY inherit similar qualities, so if your parents have large muscles when they were about your age, you will probably to. That′s about all you can go on!

Darrell