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The purpose of this descriptive investigation was threefold: (a) to assess the nutrition, training, supplement, and performance-enhancement drug practices of male and female physique competitors 30 days before competition; (b) to examine the specific water and macronutrient manipulation performed by competitors during the last 3 days before competition; and (c) to assess physiological responses to precontest preparation including body composition, body fluids, resting heart rate, and blood pressure. Competitors reported performing moderately high volume, moderate to high repetition, split-body resistance training programs performed on most days of the week; the programs included the use of a variety of advanced training methods. A majority of competitors included cardio to expedite fat loss, and most reported performing cardio in a fasted state despite a lack of objective evidentiary support for the practice. Competitors substantially restricted calories and consumed protein in amounts well above research-based guidelines (>3 g⋅kg-1⋅d-1); carbohydrate and lipid intake were highly variable. Water was substantially reduced in the final 3 days before competition. Competitors used a variety of dietary supplements throughout the study period, many of which are not supported by research. Both male and female competitors reported using performance enhancing drugs (~48 and ~38%, respectively) including testosterone derivatives, selective androgen receptor modulators, and human growth hormone. More research is warranted to elucidate safer and more effective peak week practices for physique competitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carried out a prospective case study in a high-level amateur natural male bodybuilder throughout preparation for 4 competitions and during the ensuing postcontest recovery period. Laboratory testing was conducted monthly over a 1-year period, which included the following assessments: B-mode ultrasound evaluation of muscle thickness (MT), multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, blood pressure and heart rate assessment, resting metabolic rate via indirect calorimetry, skinfold testing, vertical jump height, isometric lowerbody strength testing, and a 3-factor eating questionnaire. Blood work (including testosterone, thyroid hormone, sex hormone binding globulin, glomerular filtration rate, blood urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, white blood count, albumin to globulin ratio, and lipoprotein A) was obtained separately from an outside laboratory at 4 time points. We also assessed the effectiveness of a carbohydrate (carb) deplete and carb load peaking strategy employed immediately before competition. The subject employed a high-volume, high-frequency, whole-body training program throughout the study period. Average daily nutritional intakes ranged from 1,953 to 3,415 kcal: 104-386 g carb; 253-263 g protein, and; 57-95 g lipid. Body fat was reduced to very low levels (~5%) immediately before competition, but this corresponded with a loss of lean mass. Alterations in metabolism, hormonal status, explosive strength, and psychological aspects of eating were observed during precontest preparation; however, all of these variables recovered quickly postcompetition. The implementation of a carb depleteand carb load peaking strategy acutely increased MT and thus may be a viable precontest approach to maximize muscular aesthetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a lipid messenger that has been shown to increase muscle protein synthesis via signaling stimulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). MaxxTOR® (MT) is a supplement that contains PA as the main active ingredient but also contains other synergistic mTOR signaling substances including L-Leucine, Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate (HMB), and Vitamin D3. Methods: Eighteen healthy strength-trained males were randomly assigned to a group that either consumed MT (n = 8, 22.0 +/- 2.5 years; 175.8 +/- 11.5 cm; 80.3 +/- 15.1 kg) or a placebo (PLA) (n = 10, 25.6 +/- 4.2 years; 174.8 +/-9.0 cm; 88.6 +/- 16.6 kg) as part of a double-blind, placebo controlled pre/post experimental design. All participants volunteered to complete the three day per week resistance training protocol for the eight week study duration. To determine the effects of MT, participants were tested on one repetition maximum (1RM) leg press strength (LP), 1RM bench press strength (BP), push-ups to failure (PU), vertical jump (VJ), pro-agility shuttle time (AG), peak power output (P), lean body mass (LBM), fat mass (FM), and thigh muscle mass (TMM). Subjects were placed and monitored on an isocaloric diet consisting of 25 protein, 50 carbohydrates, and 25 % fat by a registered dietitian. Separate two-way mixed factorial repeated measures ANOVA's (time [Pre, Post] x group [MT and PLA] were used to investigate strength, body composition, and other performance changes. Post-hoc tests were applied as appropriate. Analysis were performed via SPSS with significance at (p ≤ 0.05). Results: There was a significant main effect (F(1,16) = 33.30, p < 0.001) for LBM where MT significantly increased LBM when compared to the PLA group (p < 0.001). Additionally, there was a significant main effect for LP (F(1,16) = 666. 74, p < 0.001) and BP (F(1,16) = 126.36, p < 0.001) where both increased significantly more in MT than PLA group (p < 0. 001). No significant differences between MT and PLA were noted for FM, TMM, VJ, AG, P, or PU. Conclusion: The results of this eight week trial suggest that the addition of MaxxTOR® to a 3-day per week resistance training program can positively impact LBM and strength beyond the results found with exercise alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This study compared surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal amplitude during pull-ups with Versa Gripps® to those without grips on the dominant side wrist flexors (WF), wrist extensors (WE), latissimus dorsi (LAT), and infraspinatus (INF) muscles among strength-trained males. Material and Method. Thirty healthy males volunteered to participate in the study. All subjects reviewed, completed, and signed an informed consent form approved by Institutional Review Committees. Surface EMG was computed using the root-mean-square (RMS) of the EMG signal, integrated over 500 milliseconds, and normalized to the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) for the muscles being investigated. EMG data from the four muscles were analyzed using paired two tailed t-tests for each individual muscle for Grip to No Grip conditions. Results. The comparisons revealed that the WE and WF sEMG were significantly less with the Versa Gripps® compared to No Grip. There were no significant differences between the Grip and No Grip conditions for the LAT and INF. Conclusion. These results suggest that the effort required by the WE and WF can be reduced with the use of Versa Gripps® in strength-trained males while performing a pull-up without inhibiting the recruitment of the LAT and/or the INF. This finding could be beneficial for strength-trained males suffering or recovering from lateral or medial epincondylitis because the decreased activation of the WE muscles during the pull-up exercise may help unload of the WE and WF which may aid in their recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]