Extra Muscle??

reply to post by jrod8900


I would think that you would probably be able to find few differences outside of the amount of melanin present in the skin between Americans born in American for at least the four or five generations.

I don’t know anyone in my personal milieu that can profess to being purely anything except human though we have taken bets on a few about that claim.

For the drive in running and jumping (FWIW), think 'posterior chain'. I.e hamstrings, glutes, lower back.

On the topic, it's probably a combination of individual genetics and opportunity as to who excels in any particular sport. It would be quite difficult to tease out the particulars.

I found a few studies about this topic. Just thought that I would share them:

Study

Study

Not too many good studies out there. While there might be some subtle genetic differences.... I suspect that drive, will and perserverance play a larger part in this equation.

In the Army, a doctor once addressed a fairly large group, and said that statistically, blacks and whites had a few minor differences, and listed them.

The one that stuck out that I recall was his statement that the ankle hinge was located differently on blacks and whites.

He said that's why you'll probably never see a white man win a 100 meter sprint in the Olympics, but you'll likewise never see a black man win an Olympic swimming event.

I can't remember which was which, but one has a shorter heel to ankle location than the other, which is greater.

And anyone whose ever seen a big pile of skulls can easily discern their race - black, white, or yellow.

Anyone.

So maybe the differences are minor skeletal differences.

That was from a doctor. I never thought about it again until this topic was brought up.

I never heard the rumor about an extra muscle, but there are a few physiological differences I'm aware of.

Blacks as a race tend to have longer extremities (arms and leg bones), denser bone structures, larger gluteus maximus muscles ( buttocks) the gastrocnemius (large calf muscle) tends to be shorter and located higher on the lower leg, and as mentioned before, they typically have more of the fast twitch muscle fiber in their extremities.

All these differences are genetic adaptations to their place of origin, which is the African plains. The higher calf muscles, longer legs, preponderance of fast twitch muscle, and large buttock make for explosive sprinting and jumping ability. Naturally, There are exceptions to this like the pygmies.

I learned most of this from a physical anthropology course in college and frequenting bodybuilding web sites.


[edit on 5-2-2009 by LLoyd45]

My idea on this ( please dont take it the wrong way)

I think a major part in why you will find many blacks are better in many events and sports is because of slavery. During the time of slavery for blacks they were in many ways treated like show dogs are today, they would breed the best of the best to have babies with better genetics. This was done for many generations causing almost a forced evolution of weeding out certain genetic types.

Now because slavery is over and has been I think this trend is reversing itself over time again because breeding is by choice ( hopefully) so its not just purely based on carrying on certain genetic types.

Something to chew on.

And I bet most of you would be shocked to hear people say that you are bigots.

Come on people. Where are your critical thinking skills?

How can you believe that a group of people that has been subjected to mass integration for as long as the Black American could retain any definable traits consistently?

Heck, there are some Americans with Black ancestors that do not even have enough melanin to be easily identify them as being of Black heritage and that can occur in only one generation.

Americans with Black heritage are so inter-genetically connected to be fair you would have to place them in a completely different category since you goal appears to be to categorize, label and compare.

If not a new category at least admit that you can not lump them together in one that you have made so limited.

Originally posted by NightSkyeB4Dawn


And I bet most of you would be shocked to hear people say that you are bigots.

How is it bigoted to describe actual differences that exist in human populations? Science is color blind, and there's plenty of factual data on the web if you're willing to search for it.

If not, purchase a book on osteology or physical anthropology and see for yourself before you paint us all with the same brush.

[edit on 5-2-2009 by LLoyd45]

reply to post by LLoyd45


Did you read my post or did you just react to the possibility that someone might think you a bigot?

Try reading it again maybe you will actually understand what I am trying to say.

As far as your books are concerned anyone can write a book. Unfortunately the information presented does not have to factual or even scientific.

People are always latching onto information that supports their beliefs regardless of how absurd the information or the belief “may” be.

I am not attacking you nor am I engaging in veiled insults. You seem to be a person that is interested seeking the truth so I would make of you the same request as you made of me.

The internet is full of information. This information is not always credible and you have to separate the wheat from the chaff.

I have worked in medicine and with the human body for more years than I care to admit and I do not agree with a lot of the information that is being circulated here as fact.

Of course we all have the option to believe what we chose but if you are truly interested in the truth then maybe you won’t find what you are looking for here.