Dr. James Morton wasn't looking for a breakthrough when he began mapping muscle activation patterns in experienced lifters. His team was conducting routine research on plateau prevention when they noticed something strange in their data.
Even among elite athletes, certain muscle groups weren't fully activating during compound movements. At first, they thought it might be a form issue. But as the pattern repeated across hundreds of participants, they realized they were seeing something more fundamental.
"These were experienced lifters with perfect form," Dr. Morton explains. "But their muscles were only operating at about 80% capacity. The question was: why?"
The answer, it turned out, was literally in their hands.