...In this MODERN sample of top level bodybuilders using drugs or not, the steroid users are about what Arnold was at his peak (average competition weight of 235). And not a single one of the nonusers exceeds the maximums set by my, Alan, Martin or Casey’s model in What Is my Genetic Muscular Potential.
This is despite being world record holders and top level competitors in natural bodybuilding. Presumably they are using every modern nutritional and training trick available. And they still can’t break the model’s predictions. Not a single one of them.
The researchers concluded, based on this that the upper limits of FFMI in non-steroid users is roughly 25 with an abrupt stopping point; steroid users can surpass this with FFMI values as high as 32 occurring in this study for the largest individual. But for nonusers, 25 is it.
In support of this, the researchers obtained other data, similar to Casey’s original analysis. Using data on the Mr. American winners from the years of 1939-1959 (a time when presumably training and nutrition was improving) an estimated FFMI was done. With one or two outliers, none exceeded a FFMI of 25.
Now the researchers were using this whole approach to basically try to find a way, more or less, to determine whether or not a given individual was on steroids. Basically, they found through their sample that, without drugs, there is simply a cap on how much fat free mass an individual can carry.
And a FFMI of roughly 25 represents the natural limit. And this value hasn’t changed since 1930. Because human genetics haven’t changed. And no amount of training or nutrition will EVER change that....
