Just in an attempt to clarify commonly used medical terminology and laymen terminology as far as what actually composes total body mass.
In the past, there have been posts by some eluding to what exactly is gained over years of training.
There is the argument that only “dry mass” should be counted…when the truth is, this can only be determined after death during autopsy…because no human body is ever going to be dry enough to ONLY have dry muscle left without dying first.
Just for discussion:
[quote]Measures of body composition in blacks and whites: a comparative review1,2
Dale R Wagner and Vivian H Heyward[/quote]
[quote]Biological differences exist in the body composition of blacks and whites. We reviewed literature on the differences and similarities between the 2 races relative to fat-free body mass (water, mineral, and protein), fat patterning, and body dimensions and proportions. In general, blacks have a greater bone mineral density and body protein content than do whites, resulting in a greater fat-free body density. Additionally, there are racial differences in the distribution of subcutaneous fat and the length of the limbs relative to the trunk.
The possibility that these differences are a result of ethnicity rather than of race is also examined. Because most equations that predict relative body fat were derived from predominantly white samples, biological variation between the races in these body-composition indexes has practical significance. Systematic error can result in the inaccurate estimation of the relative body fat of blacks, and therefore of definitions of obesity, if these inherent differences are ignored.[/quote]
This study brings into question using past bodybuilders in the 50’s and 60’s as standards when most were only Caucasian observed at all.
How can we use that as a standard with this in mind?
[quote]Merz et al (19) and Seale (20) examined cadavers for racial differences in BMC and skeletal weight. The whole-body skeletal weights obtained from these studies are enumerated in Table 2â??. Merz et al used radiographs of the femur to measure the BMC of the skeletons of 203 blacks and whites of similar stature aged 16â??91 y.
The mean femur weight and skeletal weight of the black men and women were greater than those of the white men and women, respectively. The circumference and amount of compact bone of the shaft of the femur were also greater in blacks than in whites. Additionally, the authors noted that blacks have proportionally longer forearms and legs than do whites.[/quote]
Gee, my guess is this changes commonly known lean body mass amounts greatly all in itself…
