Originally Posted by
positronbomb
I will try and listen to what was said in the podcast if you have a link.
I don't have a problem with the SRA model.
Muscle protein synthesis is only one small part of being able to perform more reps under the bar, especially for consecutive sets.
There's the adaption of perfecting a new movement pattern, eg learning and being able to perform the lift with the correct technique, and doing it in a manner that is efficient.
There's the body's adaption to dealing with lactic acid in the blood ie pH levels.
There's the ability of the central nervous system to recover as the weight keeps getting heavier, etc.
All of that affects adaption, so obviously as you advance there is less total adaption taking place, your coordination, timing and ability to perform the movement efficiently starts approaching perfection (or at least to your genetic potential) and the improvement in that area approaches zero.
The muscle protein synthesis research just shows that the muscles should be stimulated more frequently than you see in bodybuilding splits and that 3 days a week is close enough to being optimal, which is what Rip generally recommends and much better than bodybuilding splits.
Doesn't mean every workout should be performed with high intensity though or your body/CNS will be at risk of overtraining, this is real and I bet you may have experienced it (if not now then soon), that occurs regardless of muscle protein synthesis.
HLM is not in contradiction with muscle protein synthesis research, you're still stimulating muscle protein synthesis during the Heavy, Light, and Medium workouts.