Relative vs. Maximum Plateaus

I'm not sure--this may be a stupid question. I have been lifting for about 5 years (previously focused on aerobic fitness with little strength training). Coming up on 48 years old. So here is the issue.

I understand relative plateaus--where you get stuck at a certain weight with a certain exercise, weeks after week, without being able to progress. I have certainly hit those and worked through those.

But, I would guess, at a certain age, given your genetics, your testosterone level, your growth hormone level, your previous injury profile, the demands of a working life, etc. you would hit an absolute plateau at some point--meaning that you really won't be able to exceed the weight you are working with (excepting extraordinary measures) or you'll pop a tendon or a ligament and you're done.

Obviously, at some point, it becomes true (hard to believe folks who can bench, say, 350 pounds at 25 could do at it 75 (years old), because even if the muscle strength was there the tendon and ligament strength would not be).

I think the bottom line is to never give up pushing the limits, but I am curious if there is any information regarding the concept of maximum plateaus.

Thanks.

Scott

 

I think your right. Although, I think for us (guys) in general we always want to be pushing forward even if we physically know we can't. We're hared-wired to be stubborn.