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Myotonic Hypertrophy Makes Liam Hoekstra World's Strongest Boy
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by Tina Kells | April 1, 2009 at 08:57 am
20554 views | 5 Recommendations | 20 comments
Liam Hoekstra has a very rare a condition known as myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy which increases muscle mass while lowering body fat. Because this rare genetic defect, also called myotonic hypertrophy, the 3 year old from Michigan could be a world class body builder, maybe even Mr. Universe, if he wasn't still a toddler.
Liam first made headlines while still a toddler. Dubbed by some as the World's Strongest Boy young Liam Hoekstra looks like any other kid his age until you ask him to lift weights or do some sit ups. Before Liam was 2-years old he was already a curiosity, something his family worked hard to avoid.
Liam Hoekstra is only 19 months old but he already has washboard abs and amazing strength. Liam suffers from a rare genetic condition called myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy. The condition promotes above-normal growth of the skeletal muscles; it doesn't affect the heart and has no known negative side effects, according to experts. Liam has about 40 percent more muscle mass than normal and needs a lot of food because of his increased metabolism. "He's hungry for a full meal about every hour because of his rapid metabolism," said his adoptive mother, Dana Hoekstra. "He's already eating me out of house and home." When Liam wants a toy, Liam gets a toy.
"A lot of the TV stations wanted to do the 'World's Strongest Boy' type of stories," Dana Hoekstra said. "They weren't interested in the science behind his condition ... and I wasn't going to put him on some kind of freak show."
Liam Hoekstra's mother, Dana Hoekstra is not surprised that people are fascinated by her son. Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy sounds like a dream "ailment" to some since it makes you lean, muscular and strong. Professional athletes have been penalized for taking steroids to achieve the kind of results that come naturally to little Liam.
Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy is a very rare condition, a truly one of a kind phenotype. Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy may seem like a dream come true; the low body fat and increased muscle mass come with no medical complications and people with the mutation live long, and probably very fit, lives.
The clinical findings of myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy include reduced subcutaneous fat pad thickness and increased muscle size in individuals with normal or increased muscle strength...
The diagnosis of myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy is established by clinical findings of reduced subcutaneous fat pad thickness and increased muscle size in individuals with normal or increased muscle strength and a GDF8 mutation identified on molecular genetic testing.
Liam Hoekstra may some day become a real life Hercules.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (20)
at 15:52 on April 2nd, 2009
Whow, that wee boy was amazing,should this be calssed as a disease, seems there are no suffering or ill affects on this wee boy he looks healthy and happy.The parents seem very suportive so I guess that helps with regard to how his ever increasing muscle power is controlled in a positive fashion.
at 06:57 on April 3rd, 2009
I think both my cousin's daughters have this but were never diagnosed. One has had muscles since she was a baby and a six pack since being a toddler. The other is not as muscular in the arms but has had a six pack since childhood. They never worked out until jr and sr high. The one w/o the muscular arms plays basketball and the other one they call her Laila Ali because since she became a cheerleader it seems as if just that small amount of exercise has caused her muscles to go crazy. My cousin is frustrated because her daughter is always breaking things with minimum force. Their dad is also built this way. He does not exercise and he is very skinny but his muscle structure is the same.. The doctors always comment when her youngest goes to the doctor because of the amount of muscle she has and the fact that she does not lift weights or workout...
at 15:04 on April 3rd, 2009
I didnt see him do anything that any other child his age couldn't do. Other than the sit ups I saw nothing rare or strange. The big guy helped him along on all the very basic things in the gym. Nothing amazing here. Hope the child lives a long healthy life without being exploited or made into some hoax.
at 21:29 on June 10th, 2009
Either you no nothing about childhood developement or you weren't watching very well! His coordination (at all ages) was much more developed than the average.
at 07:07 on July 20th, 2009
I Agree with The Lady even during play he was assisted just like the 3 yr old girl in the show and during the test Liam got a little boost with his pull-upand constant coaxing. My son was as big as that kid (30lbs) and you could see all of his muscles when he was 18 months old he earned the name BAM_BAM because he could do pull ups push up situps and when his cousins who were 4 would TRY to bully him he would hold them down on the ground, he also exibihted the same energy level as Liam and thats called ADHD. And if he was so coordinated and highly developed why did he need assistance, why couldn't he swim(my son was swimmimg unassisted and doing cannon balls before he was 3without lessons) and why did he never talk can he talk. To this day my son is always being mistaken for his age people guess him 3-4 years older due to his build and strength he looks like a little body builder and his doctor says it quite common these days And I wouldn't say this Liam is the STRONGEST TODDLER IN THE WORLD, his parents are gonna find themselves embarassed for making a big fuss when this appearance and behavior are pretty common I did not see anything in the show that i haven't seen before somewhere and was wondering how what little he did made him the strongest toddler and never have commented on such issues but after watching thyat show felt highly compailed to do so it's ridiculous!
at 07:15 on July 20th, 2009
And do you know the damage they can cause by letting this child lift weights just because these kids are big and strong every part of them is still growing, my son can lift lots of weight but doctor insist that it can cause muscle skeletal and tendon and ligament damage not to mention hernias and hemroids so all parents should use caution when your big little kids workout! Just because they can give you a piggyback ride doesn't mean they should!
at 11:25 on July 20th, 2009
HATER!
at 14:57 on July 20th, 2009
Whose a hater we're just stating facts he's not the worlds strongest toddler and didn't seem to be very coordinated either! I saw nothing that was astonishing or awe inspiring, in that case my kid and other kids I know have achieved miracles!
at 04:14 on April 4th, 2009
Yeah, Whatup dog?
This boy ain't nuttin' special - my own toddler does that shit and looks more cut than Liam!
Peace out>>>>>>
at 09:50 on June 11th, 2009
he has a gift u just dont
at 07:19 on July 20th, 2009
And do the parents of Liam know the damage they can cause by letting him lift weights, yes are kids are strong but every part of their bodies are still growing and doctor says that you can cause muscle skeletal tendon and ligament damage not to mention hernias and hemroids, Just because they can give us piggy back rides doesn't mean they should!
at 20:03 on August 15th, 2009
The parents do not allow Liam to lift weights. I just watched a special with them and they specifically stated they don't let him lift weights.
at 09:59 on June 11th, 2009
shutup
at 18:17 on June 10th, 2009
nahh i think ufc undistputed is a betterr gammee wayy beettter fight night sucks
at 21:27 on June 10th, 2009
Huck-a-buck stop being so jealous of a 3 year old. Seriously grow up. Your toddler would be on television too. And Liam is the cutest kid i've ever seen. So it just proves your jealous since you recognize that he is cute.
at 09:47 on June 11th, 2009
yesterday i seen your show. i was so amzed of what liam can do. he is so cute and he is so talentet. can u tell hem and your daughter i said hi to and don,t listen to all them other people
at 09:56 on June 11th, 2009
at 12:34 on June 11th, 2009
According to the TLC show on The Worlds Strongest Boy, Liam does NOT have myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy his tests were normal. Liam is genetically gifted but they still don't know why.
at 21:06 on June 12th, 2009
He Man you are mistaken. TLC did say Liam has Myostatin related muscle hypertrophy and it was confirmed with testing. What was normal was the actual GDF8 myostatin gene. Liam's condition is not from a mutation in the gene structure but in the signaling of the gene.
at 19:23 on July 19th, 2009
As I was flipping through channels, this program came to my attention. My son is exhibiting some of the same strenghts. He is faster than the kids in his class. At daycare he races with kids 2 and 3 years older than him. He usually plays with kids 2 and 3 years older than him because most kids his age can't handle his strength. When he was just a baby he would move things and pick up things that where well beyond his strength in years. I noticed it recently when I took a picture of him on Easter and his calf muscles were very distinct and bulging. He also has destinct abs and biceps as well as the muscles in his back are very noticable. We went to the zoo with his class in May and on the playground there were monkey bars and a pull up bar. My son could go across the monkey bars easily and he pulled himself up and flipped himself over (without assistance). None of the other children could do that. He played t-ball for the first time this past spring and he was the only kid hitting home runs including those who played previously. I do believe the story, however I do not feel that it is in any way a hendrance to them or any health risk. I have not taken my son to the doctor for this and I do not intend to. If he does have some sort of super human strenght, it is better left unknown in the event he does become some sports phenomenon.