Our brain limits our strength primarily as a protective mechanism to prevent injury to muscles, bones, and joints.
The brain employs several strategies to achieve this:
- Muscle Inhibition: The brain can limit the activation of muscles if it senses pain, inflammation, or injury. This prevents you from pushing yourself to a point where you could cause further damage.
- Protective Mechanism: This protective mechanism is in place to prevent injuries like tearing muscles and damaging bones. Essentially, the brain prioritizes safety over maximal force output.
In essence, while you may feel like you could lift more or exert more force, your brain is acting as a safeguard to keep your body from harm.
