I never competed in powerlifting competitions but as someone natural and just doing it on my own without any trainers, etc, I had a pretty respectable big 3 of 1,420 lbs(565lb DL, 475lb squat, 380 lb bench(x2)) at 188 lbs. And even at my lesser level of doing it, my body is paying for it now...already had one hip replacement done and about to have a second on the other side 5 years later next month. Have arthritic changes in my elbows that I have to constantly go to PT for so I can keep them good and be able to continue working out. Switched from free weights to heavy resistance bands(love them and will never go back...super effective and much easier on the joints) and I still have random aches and pains most days. Almost 50 and still in great shape, so I guess it's expected but that's without even taking steroids, but damn if this isn't way harder than it was when I was in my 30s even. Now I don't train to push myself and gain new muscle as much as I train to ensure I can workout the next day 😂😂
Problem with tendons and ligaments is they take a long time to grow stronger to support the muscle growth. The body will never allow itself to gain more muscle than what it can support via tendons and ligaments. Steroids completely overrides this and causes muscle growth so rapidly that the tendons and ligaments have no way of catching up. The forces in play from the weights being lifted and explosive movements, etc causes them to essentially snap eventually.
Yup, Merriman was never the same after the injuries.