What constitutes an elite athlete's ability to build muscle and develop superhuman strength is a question as old as time. While some chalk it up to a lifetime of powerlifting and functional strength training, consuming lean meats and protein powders, and maintaining motivation, scientists say it appears to be a biological advantage. They studied Eddie Hall, one of the most prolific dictators of all time.
Standing at 6'3″ and weighing 430 pounds when he accomplished the world-record 1,100 lb (500 kg) deadlift in 2016, Hall is an unusual figure among humans. His high body weight and incredible strength make him stand out, a new study published in Journal of Applied Physiology He suggests that what makes him unique is the size of the muscle in his lower body and the way his muscle mass is distributed.
Related: Eddie Hall Smashes Deadlift WR
The news of Hall's “differentiation” probably didn't come as a huge shock. He's not the first well-known athlete to undergo genetic testing, either. Some studies even link specific genes (especially ACTN3 and ACE).) the strength, endurance and speed of world-class athletes. In fact, more than 200 gene polymorphisms have been associated with greater exercise performance, and more than 20 of these have been associated with elite athletic performance. In Hall's case, his genetic makeup goes far beyond modest differences in specific genes.
Former World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall visited the campus 💪
Scientists performed a series of strength tests and MRI scans, and the findings showed that Eddie's lower body muscle mass was nearly twice that of untrained men (+96%).
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According to the case study, Hall's lower body muscle size is nearly twice that of a group of untrained, healthy, active young men. In particular, the rope muscles are 2.5 to 3 times larger and the plantar flexors are also quite large. Guy rope muscles extend from below the knee to the pelvis, providing stability to the hips and thigh, while the plantar flexor group refers to the group of muscles and tendons in the foot, ankle and leg that control the foot and toes. ability to move downward. In short, Hall's stabilizer muscles path larger than most men who don't train.
Scientists have found that Hall's larger rope muscles allow him to lift heavy weights (hence his famous deadlift, which weighs the same as most horses), carry, and/or perform pulling exercises such as pulling a sled or pulling a truck. He believes it increases stability.
Related: The 10 Strongest Men of All Time
Hall's leg muscles, particularly his thighs, were twice the size of untrained individuals. Surprisingly, the tendons in their knees that support all their weight were only about 30 percent larger than those of the untrained population.
So, while hard work, dedication and years of training are guaranteed to help you develop strength and endurance, this study proves that earning the title of World's Strongest Man may depend on more genetic factors than we previously realised. In some ways, you're only as good as your genetics.
