I agree with Johnson. I would go as far as to say proper strength training doesn’t necessarily enhance athletic performance, it enhances the athletes strength. For example a runner who uses weights and a runner who doesn’t, usually the strength advantage has no effect on high levels.

Something like wrestling providing athlete A can gain power with no noticeable losses in other areas then strength can enhance their performance vs athlete B with no strength training it really depends on the sport.

“All modern, elite athletes carry enough muscle mass to allow them to perform at world-class levels. Even tiny marathon runners have much more muscle mass as a percentage of total body weight than sedentary individuals. Muscle doesn’t detract from your skills; it makes you more effective at whatever you do.”

Disagree this maybe more to do with improved nutrition better training methods and more knowledge of the sport, not the strength training. We don’t know if their muscle mass has been gained from poly metrics, body exercises or actual strength training either. Remember muscle can be built in many different ways instead, strength isn’t everything sometimes its nothing.

Maybe I’ll rework the article to further clarify the “muscle bound” definition, but that’s not easy because, as I said, there is no universal definition for this controversial phenomenon.

• Some people make your claim: that it refers to the flexibility problems brought on by lifting without stretching
• Others claim it refers to the loss of athleticism and endurance experienced by those who move up in weight class too quickly. This has nothing to do with flexibility.

You quote me twice, but you leave out my main point, which is:

“…you can easily avoid [flexibility problems caused by rapid muscle gain] if you train sensibly.”

Modern athletes work on flexibility and joint mobility along with strength training. School coaches who understand the issues train their kids this way too.

I believe the phrase “muscle bound” has no place in modern physical education because it doesn’t help anyone understand the issues involved.

“Since the whole “muscle bound” thing is just a myth, it has no universally-accepted definition.”

Then you say,

“…it’s true that rapid bulking can lead to flexibility problems…”

That’s what “muscle bound” is. It’s a loss of flexibility due to permanent muscle contraction. Your MUSCLES have BOUND your joints in a certain position. It’s not a myth, but it can be avoided with proper stretching, as your article states. A decent article, but to open with a statement like “muscle bound is a myth” is absurd, because it’s not.