FT Questions....

[Scott Stevenson]

Hey Scott,

You ever notice how some guys press explosively while others press in a slower controlled manner? Would you say genetics play a big role in that? Given an individual's distribution of type 1/2 fibers. A more explosive fashion would result in more growth given that the person's makeup would be more towards type 2 fiber distribution?

Genetics are far secondary to motor control in exercise execution.

Those with more Type II fibers may have a greater potential for growth (as the Type II's hypertrophy more so - in SOME studies) than type I's. OTOH, studies of BB'ers (larger muscles and PL'ers) tend to show a higher percentage of Type I's that are actually (sometimes) the same size as untrained controls. This would suggest that metabolic stress (and hyperplasia) may play a role here.

So, what you're getting at is the relative importance of the mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy. Powerful movements DO load the muscle more so and when doing a typical "rep" (coupled concentric / eccentric) doing so on the concentric will mean more loading and thus more growth,. all other things being equal.

OTOH, powerful pressing - in some - can me using muscles other than the intended target muscle, i.e.,. shitty form and poor "mind-muscle" connection, in which case any advantage on loading (esp. on the ECCENTRIC which involves controlling a now heavier weight that was lifted in a powerful fashion) would be lost.

Getting close to the root of your question: A person with more Type II would be better suited for explosive lifting (with a good mind-muscle connection), so that would be better suited for them.

Interestingly enough, the distribution of muscle fiber types,. which is genetic, isn't as genetically determined as some folks tend to believe.

1. Bouchard C, Simoneau JA, Lortie G, Boulay MR, Marcotte M, Thibault MC. Genetic effects in human skeletal muscle fiber type distribution and enzyme activities. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1986;64(9):1245-1251.

On the other hand Lee Priest always pressed in a slow manner , and had no trouble growing. I've noticed that I don't have the same strength if I press fast and explosively, I can press more weight slowly.

I could talk for hours on just these two topics.

Lee has GREAT mind-muscle connnection and the genetics to grow easily. I would imagine he would have a very high Type I fiber percentage, given his training style.

Your last sentence is overloaded with info. and potential inquiry, but I'll just say this: Go SLOW in your case, as this suggests you've found the right motor program to target your intended musculature (i'm guessing chest mainly). Faster attempts probably through off your chest activation (if you're naturally a delt presser) and you intuitively sense this and DON'T press with the delts a/o rely upon shoulder girdle protraction to press the load upward.

-S