Changing the shape of muscle... new research?? Check this out

camarosuper6 · 02-20-2004, 02:49 AM

this was posted on the AST website, who are very strict with the content and opinions they give about most anything.

http://www.ast-ss.com/dev/qa_search/...xt.asp?ID=2294

Q: Do you think it’s possible to change the shape of a muscle with specific training?

A: For decades elite bodybuilders have suggested that the shape of a muscle or muscle group can be altered with specific training. Scientifically, this has never been directly examined. Due to my back ground in exercise physiology, I thought the notion that certain exercises can “shape” a muscle was a crock. However, the literature presented in an article by prominent bodybuilding researcher, Jose Antonio provides a fair case that “site-specific” training is capable of altering a muscle’s shape (J. Streng Cond Res. 14;102-113, 2000).

Muscle appears to be much more complex than a simple bunch of fibers that attach to bone and create movement. There are unique differences within each muscle and within single muscle fibers. Within a single muscle fiber there can be varying degrees of size, metabolism, contraction characteristics, and protein composition. Electromyographic activity (EMG) data shows that varying an exercise can alter the recruitment of certain fibers along an entire muscle. In other words, different portions of a muscle maybe called into play depending on posture, position of the limb and range of motion of an exercise.

From the research available on this subject, muscles do appear to adapt in a region-specific manner. Muscle is a very malleable component and the area that is stressed is the area that changes! From this point of view, varying exercise selection appears important to maximizing muscle growth.

With specific training, a bodybuilder may be able to alter the shape of their muscles. However, never forget that overload is the dominant principle that leads to size increases. Vary your exercise selection, but never at the sacrifice of maximal overload. The trick is to select only from those exercises that allow for maximal overload. See our Exercise Execution section and the Max-OT program for a definitive list of the better exercises to utilize.

Hmm..... shaping a muscle possible?

What are your thoughts?

Vieope · 02-20-2004, 05:20 AM

I have no background in muscle physiology but I think, using common sense, that it MAY occur in the early, very early, stages of development. After that, everything grows in the uniform way.

myCATpowerlifts · 02-21-2004, 09:44 AM

but what is uniform?
When a muscle increases in size, its shape doesnt just stay the exact same way, but just get bigger....
In different areas across the same muscle, fibers grow at different rates along the muscle's surface
So shape is changed....
thats just what i think

**CowPimp** · 02-21-2004, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by myCATpowerlifts
but what is uniform?
When a muscle increases in size, its shape doesnt just stay the exact same way, but just get bigger....
In different areas across the same muscle, fibers grow at different rates along the muscle's surface
So shape is changed....
thats just what i think

That may be, but you aren't controlling how the shape changes...

Vieope · 02-21-2004, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CowPimp
That may be, but you aren't controlling how the shape changes...

Exactly. That is what the muscle decide for you.

**Prince** · 02-21-2004, 10:51 AM

I feel that everyone's muscles have a predetermined shape, of course as they grow and get bigger the shape may change, but not caused by any specific exercises, it's caused by the overall growth of the muscle and it's genetic code.

In other words, as it gets larger it will end up in the same shape ultimately regardless of what exercises that were used in training. Now, I also believe that it is necessary to utilize multiple angles to cause continued growth in a muscle, but not to change it's predestined shape. I believe that a muscle grows as a whole.

plouffe · 02-21-2004, 11:21 AM

I agree with prince.. It's kinda like someone saying they can bring a 5 inch gap together between there pecs by doing cable flys..

Maybe if we all take Mystatin will can increase the number of muscle fibers in our body which would allow us all to change our muscle shapes forevvveeerrr.

plouffe · 02-21-2004, 11:22 AM

hehe.

02-20-2004, 02:49 AM	#1
camarosuper6 Back Home In SOCAL Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: California Posts: 3,354	Changing the shape of muscle... new research?? Check this out this was posted on the AST website, who are very strict with the content and opinions they give about most anything. http://www.ast-ss.com/dev/qa_search/...xt.asp?ID=2294 Q: Do you think it’s possible to change the shape of a muscle with specific training? A: For decades elite bodybuilders have suggested that the shape of a muscle or muscle group can be altered with specific training. Scientifically, this has never been directly examined. Due to my back ground in exercise physiology, I thought the notion that certain exercises can “shape” a muscle was a crock. However, the literature presented in an article by prominent bodybuilding researcher, Jose Antonio provides a fair case that “site-specific” training is capable of altering a muscle’s shape (J. Streng Cond Res. 14;102-113, 2000). Muscle appears to be much more complex than a simple bunch of fibers that attach to bone and create movement. There are unique differences within each muscle and within single muscle fibers. Within a single muscle fiber there can be varying degrees of size, metabolism, contraction characteristics, and protein composition. Electromyographic activity (EMG) data shows that varying an exercise can alter the recruitment of certain fibers along an entire muscle. In other words, different portions of a muscle maybe called into play depending on posture, position of the limb and range of motion of an exercise. From the research available on this subject, muscles do appear to adapt in a region-specific manner. Muscle is a very malleable component and the area that is stressed is the area that changes! From this point of view, varying exercise selection appears important to maximizing muscle growth. With specific training, a bodybuilder may be able to alter the shape of their muscles. However, never forget that overload is the dominant principle that leads to size increases. Vary your exercise selection, but never at the sacrifice of maximal overload. The trick is to select only from those exercises that allow for maximal overload. See our Exercise Execution section and the Max-OT program for a definitive list of the better exercises to utilize. Hmm..... shaping a muscle possible? What are your thoughts?
	"TOLERANCE is the virtue of a man without convictions" G.K.Chesterton Boot Shine and Polish $15. New Uniforms: $250 New gun and holster: $450 Looking like a stud in uniform: Priceless Girl: Me and this new guy are getting kinda chummy. Me: Good chummy? Like friends forever? Girl: Ya Me: Or Chummy like, spank my ass chummy?

02-20-2004, 05:20 AM	#2
Vieope Monochromatic Bunny Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: drinking coffee.. Posts: 14,863 Photos: 10	I have no background in muscle physiology but I think, using common sense, that it MAY occur in the early, very early, stages of development. After that, everything grows in the uniform way.
	FURtherness

02-21-2004, 10:51 AM	#6
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 33,981 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 320	I feel that everyone's muscles have a predetermined shape, of course as they grow and get bigger the shape may change, but not caused by any specific exercises, it's caused by the overall growth of the muscle and it's genetic code. In other words, as it gets larger it will end up in the same shape ultimately regardless of what exercises that were used in training. Now, I also believe that it is necessary to utilize multiple angles to cause continued growth in a muscle, but not to change it's predestined shape. I believe that a muscle grows as a whole.
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System. Creatine Ethyl Ester HCL (CEE) On Sale $17.49 per bottle!

02-21-2004, 11:21 AM	#7
plouffe is bulking Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,786 Photos: 6	I agree with prince.. It's kinda like someone saying they can bring a 5 inch gap together between there pecs by doing cable flys.. Maybe if we all take Mystatin will can increase the number of muscle fibers in our body which would allow us all to change our muscle shapes forevvveeerrr.
	These are my favorite faces : - - - Personal Bests: Bench - 235 Deadlift - 315 X 17 Squat - 315 X 11 40 yrd. - 4.65

02-21-2004, 11:22 AM	#8
plouffe is bulking Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,786 Photos: 6	hehe.
	These are my favorite faces : - - - Personal Bests: Bench - 235 Deadlift - 315 X 17 Squat - 315 X 11 40 yrd. - 4.65

02-21-2004, 09:44 AM	#3
myCATpowerlifts Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The lone star state Posts: 6,261 Photos: 2	but what is uniform? When a muscle increases in size, its shape doesnt just stay the exact same way, but just get bigger.... In different areas across the same muscle, fibers grow at different rates along the muscle's surface So shape is changed.... thats just what i think

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