Q:

Can martial artists strengthen limbs, appendages, and other parts of their bodies to "super-human" degrees?

In the book American Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in the New China, the author describes his exposure to, and training in, some of the so-called "iron techniques" of martial arts.  The techniques, according to the author, involve subjecting specific areas of the body to repeated and consistent abuse, while treating them with "medicinal herbal mixtures".  The result is that the area of the body can supposedly sustain tremendous stresses, and becomes much more durable and resilient than untrained body parts.  
The author trained in "iron forearm", because he feared the disfigurement of joints, and general swelling, that apparently accompanied training in somePre-Man. City training report- Bellerin set to keep place in squad

Hector Bellerin joined the first-team squad this morning for their final training session ahead of tomorrow’s game against Manchester City. The right-back, who was on the bench for the draw against Swansea City on Tuesday, is likely to be among the substitutes again tomorrow in the continued absence of Nacho Monreal.

Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Abou Diaby, Ryo and Laurent Koscielny join Monreal on the list of absentees. Nicklas Bendtner, who will leave the club this summer, was again not involved.

Fewer youngsters participated in the training session than normal, with the likes of Gedion Zelalem, Jon Toral and Semi Ajayi set to face Tottenham U21s at White Hart Lane tonight, whilst Arsenal’s U18 side take