Do neurological strength changes require protein

[map84]

Do neurological strength changes require protein in the same way muscle tissue growth requires it or are the strength gains from it(within reason) unrelated to diet?
Am I right in hypotheticaly thinking if you had a diet that allowed for no muscle growth (say 50g protein and a 500 calorie deficit a day) you could still achieve neurological strength gains?

[map84]

BUMP, anyone?

[WonderPug]

At your current height and weight, if you consume a total of 50 grams of protein per day while your intake of energy is 500 calories below maintenance, you'll lose a decent amount of lean body mass.

[map84]

At your current height and weight, if you consume a total of 50 grams of protein per day while your intake of energy is 500 calories below maintenance, you'll lose a decent amount of lean body mass.

thats not the question, Im curious about neurological changes.

[THElabCHIMP]

your muscles need to repair/ grow/ adapt to the increased work load eventually

[tden99]

I think you are talking about % of muscle that can be activated and used as strength due to neurological stimulation. Like the small powerlifters who are insanely strong. From the things I've read it is a lot genetic and trained. So not really, but losing overall muscle mass will still drop your strength because it is a % of muscle used.

[map84]

thanks for the replies.
tden, yes like the little powerlifters, who use a low rep range, could a noob progress to all the way to becoming a powerlifter with a good routine but no protein/cal surplus, where (i presume) no muscle growth could occur, so he could only rely on muscular adaptation?

[hilltopper1993]

thanks for the replies.
tden, yes like the little powerlifters, who use a low rep range, could a noob progress to all the way to becoming a powerlifter with a good routine but no protein/cal surplus, where (i presume) no muscle growth could occur, so he could only rely on muscular adaptation?

Why would you want to? That's a better question. Eat at a surplus and just build muscle, problem solved.

[Flex500]

Do neurological strength changes require protein in the same way muscle tissue growth requires it or are the strength gains from it(within reason) unrelated to diet?
Am I right in hypotheticaly thinking if you had a diet that allowed for no muscle growth (say 50g protein and a 500 calorie deficit a day) you could still achieve neurological strength gains?

Lots of people do this. The best examples are powerlifters. Check out the usa powerlifting site. There are guys 123 pounds bench pressing almost 300 pounds and deadlifting over 400 and 500 pounds. MUCH of this is neural adaptations through practice and working on the explosive part of the sport.


To your question you cannot train hard without adequate enough nutrition. You can eat in a way to not gain weight/muscle and still make strength gains however there is point where if you do not take in enough food you will not be able to train to the best of your ability and you will not get stronger.

[map84]

Lots of people do this. The best examples are powerlifters. Check out the usa powerlifting site. There are guys 123 pounds bench pressing almost 300 pounds and deadlifting over 400 and 500 pounds. MUCH of this is neural adaptations through practice and working on the explosive part of the sport.


To your question you cannot train hard without adequate enough nutrition. You can eat in a way to not gain weight/muscle and still make strength gains however there is point where if you do not take in enough food you will not be able to train to the best of your ability and you will not get stronger.

thats v informative.
and for all of you wondering no I dont plan on having a diet that discourages growth, I was just intrigued by what the limits of neurological adaptation is in situations where people do not get any where near ideal food, like in the military or a poor country.