Competition Preparation And Recovery

[Michael Scally MD]

Rossow LM, Fukuda DH, Fahs CA, Loenneke JP, Stout JR. Natural bodybuilding competition preparation and recovery: a 12-month case study. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013;8(5):582-92. http://journals.humankinetics.com/ijspp-current-issue/ijspp-volume-8-issue-5-september/natural-bodybuilding-competition-preparation-and-recoverynbsp-a-12-month-case-study

Bodybuilding is a sport in which competitors are judged on muscular appearance. This case study tracked a drug-free male bodybuilder (age 26-27 y) for the 6 mo before and after a competition.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide the most comprehensive physiological profile of bodybuilding competition preparation and recovery ever compiled.

Methods: Cardiovascular parameters, body composition, strength, aerobic capacity, critical power, mood state, resting energy expenditure, and hormonal and other blood parameters were evaluated.

Results: Heart rate decreased from 53 to 27 beats/min during preparation and increased to 46 beats/min within 1 mo after competition. Brachial blood pressure dropped from 132/69 to 104/56 mmHg during preparation and returned to 116/64 mmHg at 6 mo after competition. Percent body fat declined from 14.8% to 4.5% during preparation and returned to 14.6% during recovery. Strength decreased during preparation and did not fully recover during 6 months of recovery. Testosterone declined from 9.22 to 2.27 ng/mL during preparation and returned back to the baseline level, 9.91 ng/mL, after competition. Total mood disturbance increased from 6 to 43 units during preparation and recovered to 4 units 6 mo after competition.

Conclusions: This case study provides a thorough documentation of the physiological changes that occurred during natural bodybuilding competition and recovery.

 

[Michael Scally MD]

The study is also chronicled on this blog.

Life with my Bodybuilder
http://lifewithmybodybuilder.com/ (Life with my Bodybuilder | Observations on the bodybuilder with whom I live)

 

[Michael Scally MD]

The "exercise-hypogonadal male condition" is real and well-described in the literature. Hackney is prominent.

Hackney AC. Effects of endurance exercise on the reproductive system of men: the "exercise-hypogonadal male condition". J Endocrinol Invest 2008;31(10):932-8. http://www.jendocrinolinvest.it/jei/en/abstract.cfm?articolo_id=5022 (Journal of Endocrinological Investigation)

An increasing number of investigative research studies point to participation in endurance exercisetraining as having significant detrimental effects upon reproductive hormonal profiles in men. Specifically, men chronically exposed to this type of exercise training exhibit persistently reduced basal (resting-state) free and total testosterone concentrations without concurrent LH elevations. Men displaying these symptoms have been deemed to exhibit the "exercise-hypogonadal male condition". The exact physiological mechanism inducing the reduction of testosterone in these men is currently unclear, but is postulated to be a dysfunction (or perhaps a readjustment) within the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular regulatory axis. The potential exists for the reduced testosterone concentrations within exercise-hypogonadal men to be disruptive and detrimental to some anabolic-androgenic testosterone- dependent physiological processes. Findings on this point are limited, but do suggest spermatogenesis problems may exist in some cases. Alternatively, reductions in circulating testosterone concentrations could have cardiovascular protective effects and thus be beneficial to the health of these men. Present evidence suggests the exercise-hypogonadal condition is limited to men who have been persistently involved in chronic enduranceexercise training for an extended period time (i.e., years), and it is not a highly prevalent occurrence (although, a thorough epidemiological investigation on the topic is lacking in the literature). Many questions regarding the male reproductive endocrine adaptive process to exercise training still remain unanswered, necessitating the need for much further investigation on the topic, especially with respect to the exercise-hypogonadal condition.


Hackney AC. Endurance exercise training and reproductive endocrine dysfunction in men: alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. Curr Pharm Des 2001;7(4):261-73. Endurance Exercise Training and Reproductive Endocrine Dysfunction in Men Alterations in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Axis | BenthamScience

Research indicates that endurance exercise training has significant effects upon the reproductive endocrine system of humans. Until recently, this effect was thought to be limited primarily to women. However, a growing body of evidence demonstrates that the male reproductive endocrine system is also effected. Specifically, the circulating hormonal levels of testosterone are found to be at low concentrations; and, the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis that regulates testosterone production is altered in endurance trained men. The physiological mechanism inducing the lower testosterone is currently unclear; but in many respects, these men display hypogonadotropic hypogonadism characteristics. Currently, the time course of the changes in the reproductive endocrine system is unresolved and in need of much furthers scientific investigation. The evidence available, however, suggests that a slowly developing process requiring years of exercise training results in these changes. Potentially, the lowered testosterone levels of the endurance-trained male could disrupt some of their anabolic or androgenic dependent processes. To date, there are only a limited number of findings suggesting that a consistent disruption of testosterone dependent processes occur due to endurance exercise training (e.g., oligo-spermatogenesis). Conversely, the alterations in testosterone concentration brought about by endurance training could have cardiovascular protective effects and thus be beneficial to the health of these men.


Hackney AC, Moore AW, Brownlee KK. Testosterone and endurance exercise: development of the "exercise-hypogonadal male condition". Acta Physiol Hung 2005;92(2):121-37. http://www.akademiai.com/content/fp771648115072wr/ (Testosterone and endurance exercise: development of the â?œexercise-hypogonadal male conditionâ?? - Acta Physiologica Hungarica - Volume 92, Number 2 / September 2005 - Akadémiai Kiadó)

During the last 30 years a large number of research studies have been conducted examining reproductive endocrine dysfunction in exercising women. The number of similar studies examining men is still relatively small. Nevertheless, an increasing amount of research studies in men indicate endurance exercise training has significant effects upon the major male reproductive hormone, testosterone, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis that regulates reproductive hormones. This review article addresses one reproductive endocrine dysfunction found in exercising men, what has been deemed the "exercise-hypogonadal male condition". Specifically, men with this condition exhibit basal (resting-state) free and total testosterone levels that are significantly and persistently reduced. The exact physiological mechanism inducing the reduction of testosterone is currently unclear, but is postulated to be a dysfunction (or perhaps a readjustment) within the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular regulatory axis. The time course for the development of the "exercise-hypogonadal condition" or the threshold of exercise training necessary to induce the condition remains unresolved. The potential exists for these reduced testosterone levels within the exercise-hypogonadal male to disrupt and be detrimental to some anabolic or androgenic testosterone-dependent physiological processes. Unfortunately, extremely few research studies have addressed whether such processes are affected, and thus findings are inconclusive. Conversely, the alterations in testosterone levels brought about by endurance exercise training have the potential for cardiovascular protective effects and thus could be beneficial to the health of these men. Current evidence suggests this condition is limited to men who have been persistently involved in chronic endurance exercise training for extended periods of time (i.e., years). Many questions, however, regarding the male reproductive endocrine adaptive process to exercise and exercise training remain unanswered, necessitating the need for further research on this topic.

 

[cvictorg]

the full study

http://www.scribd.com/doc/191685958/Natural-Bodybuilding-Competition-Preparation-and-Recovery.

http://www.beastmodemuscle.com/case-study-natural-bodybuilding-competition-preparation-recovery/ (Case Study: Natural Bodybuilding Competition Preparation and Recovery - BeastMode Muscle)

 

[corageon]

Rossow LM, Fukuda DH, Fahs CA, Loenneke JP, Stout JR. Natural bodybuilding competition preparation and recovery: a 12-month case study. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013;8(5):582-92. http://journals.humankinetics.com/ijspp-current-issue/ijspp-volume-8-issue-5-september/natural-bodybuilding-competition-preparation-and-recoverynbsp-a-12-month-case-study

Bodybuilding is a sport in which competitors are judged on muscular appearance. This case study tracked a drug-free male bodybuilder (age 26-27 y) for the 6 mo before and after a competition.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide the most comprehensive physiological profile of bodybuilding competition preparation and recovery ever compiled.

Methods: Cardiovascular parameters, body composition, strength, aerobic capacity, critical power, mood state, resting energy expenditure, and hormonal and other blood parameters were evaluated.

Results: Heart rate decreased from 53 to 27 beats/min during preparation and increased to 46 beats/min within 1 mo after competition. Brachial blood pressure dropped from 132/69 to 104/56 mmHg during preparation and returned to 116/64 mmHg at 6 mo after competition. Percent body fat declined from 14.8% to 4.5% during preparation and returned to 14.6% during recovery. Strength decreased during preparation and did not fully recover during 6 months of recovery. Testosterone declined from 9.22 to 2.27 ng/mL during preparation and returned back to the baseline level, 9.91 ng/mL, after competition. Total mood disturbance increased from 6 to 43 units during preparation and recovered to 4 units 6 mo after competition.

Conclusions: This case study provides a thorough documentation of the physiological changes that occurred during natural bodybuilding competition and recovery.

Nice article Scally!

 

[toolman]

Nice article Scally!

I thought you had things to do today and the post at around 10 am was your last. Those were your words.

Also stop kissing Scally's ass...It's embarrassing even for you little fella. You have already seen how little he thinks of you...just like the rest of us.

 

[tohu wa bohu]

i actually started with gear at 17 year old despite eveyrthing being told. i end up ok though. i am now 38 years old still strong and full of vigor. who is the doc that wrties this. does he have a bio online i can do read?

 

[Michael Scally MD]

Pardue A, Trexler ET, Sprod LK. Case Study: Unfavorable But Transient Physiological Changes During Contest Preparation in a Drug-Free Male Bodybuilder. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. http://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0064

Extreme body composition demands of competitive bodybuilding have been associated with unfavorable physiological changes, including alterations in metabolic rate and endocrine profile. The current case study evaluated the effects of contest preparation (8 months), followed by recovery (5 months), on a competitive drug-free male bodybuilder over 13 months (M1-M13).

Serum testosterone, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), cortisol, leptin, and ghrelin were measured throughout the study. Body composition (BodPod, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA]), anaerobic power (Wingate test), and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were assessed monthly. Sleep was assessed monthly via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and actigraphy.

From M1 to M8, testosterone (623 to 173 ngdL-1), T3 (123 to 40 ngdL-1), and T4 (5.8 to 4.1 mugdL-1) decreased, while cortisol (25.2 to 26.5 mugdL-1) and ghrelin (383 to 822 pgmL-1) increased.

The participant lost 9.1 kg prior to competition as typical energy intake dropped from 3,860 to 1,724 kcalday-1; BodPod estimates of body fat percentage were 13.4% at M1, 9.6% at M8, and 14.9% at M13; DXA estimates were 13.8%, 5.1%, and 13.8%, respectively.

Peak anaerobic power (753.0 to 536.5 Watts) and RMR (107.2% of predicted to 81.2% of predicted) also decreased throughout preparation.

Subjective sleep quality decreased from M1 to M8, but objective measures indicated minimal change.

By M13, physiological changes were largely, but not entirely, reversed. Contest preparation may yield transient, unfavorable changes in endocrine profile, power output, RMR, and subjective sleep outcomes.

Research with larger samples must identify strategies that minimize unfavorable adaptations and facilitate recovery following competition.

 

[Michael Scally MD]

Characteristics of a National Level Female Weightlifter Peaking for Competition: A Case Study

This study investigated physiological and performance changes of a national level 69kg female weightlifter following three competition phases over a 28-week training period. The athlete first trained for a regional championship (weeks 1-12), followed by a local competition (weeks 13-23) and the national championship (weeks 24-28). Body mass, vastus lateralis cross-sectional area, and unloaded and loaded squat jump performance were assessed weekly during each 4-week competition phase. Serum biomarkers, and dynamic mid-thigh pulls were assessed prior to and after each competition phase.

Weightlifting performance goals were met for the regional championship (total=200kg) and the local competition (total=193kg), but not the national championship (total=196kg). She lost more body mass in preparation for nationals (-6.0kg) compared to regionals (-2.5kg) and the local competition (+2.2kg). Vastus lateralis cross-sectional area very likely decreased following nationals (precision=99%, effect size=2.08). Her testosterone:cortisol ratio likely increased (88%, 2.64), while interleukin-6 (79%, 2.47), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (81%, 3.59) likely decreased following nationals.

Serum myostatin (99%, 1.95) and decorin (99%, 1.96) very likely decreased following the local competition. Unloaded squat jump height likely increased the week of regionals (89%, 0.95) and the local competition (99%, 1.83), whereas unloaded and loaded squat jump height possibly (69%, 0.99) and likely (82%, 1.52) decreased the week of nationals. Dynamic mid-thigh pull vertical displacement likely increased following regionals (93%, 0.84), and likely decreased following nationals (94%, 0.87).

These findings indicate that biomarkers of stress, inflammation, and hypertrophy are related to changes in training volume-load; however, performance measures are needed to assess competition preparedness. Considering the reductions in muscle cross-sectional area corresponding with the large reductions in body mass and underperformance at the national championship, sport scientists and coaches should instruct weightlifters to not attempt large losses in body mass (e.g. >3 kg) close to competition (e.g. <1 week).

Bazyler CD, Mizuguchi S, Zourdos MC, et al. Characteristics of a National Level Female Weightlifter Peaking for Competition: A Case Study. J Strength Cond Res 2017. http://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/publishahead/Characteristics_of_a_National_Level_Female.95612.aspx

 

[heady muscle]

Rossow LM, Fukuda DH, Fahs CA, Loenneke JP, Stout JR. Natural bodybuilding competition preparation and recovery: a 12-month case study. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013;8(5):582-92. http://journals.humankinetics.com/ijspp-current-issue/ijspp-volume-8-issue-5-september/natural-bodybuilding-competition-preparation-and-recoverynbsp-a-12-month-case-study

Bodybuilding is a sport in which competitors are judged on muscular appearance. This case study tracked a drug-free male bodybuilder (age 26-27 y) for the 6 mo before and after a competition.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide the most comprehensive physiological profile of bodybuilding competition preparation and recovery ever compiled.

Methods: Cardiovascular parameters, body composition, strength, aerobic capacity, critical power, mood state, resting energy expenditure, and hormonal and other blood parameters were evaluated.

Results: Heart rate decreased from 53 to 27 beats/min during preparation and increased to 46 beats/min within 1 mo after competition. Brachial blood pressure dropped from 132/69 to 104/56 mmHg during preparation and returned to 116/64 mmHg at 6 mo after competition. Percent body fat declined from 14.8% to 4.5% during preparation and returned to 14.6% during recovery. Strength decreased during preparation and did not fully recover during 6 months of recovery. Testosterone declined from 9.22 to 2.27 ng/mL during preparation and returned back to the baseline level, 9.91 ng/mL, after competition. Total mood disturbance increased from 6 to 43 units during preparation and recovered to 4 units 6 mo after competition.

Conclusions: This case study provides a thorough documentation of the physiological changes that occurred during natural bodybuilding competition and recovery.

Thats a fun study. I know when I used to compete, during the depletion stage my mood disturbance was probably off the charts!

 

[Michael Scally MD]

Trexler ET, Hirsch KR, Campbell BI, Smith-Ryan AE. Physiological Changes Following Competition in Male and Female Physique Athletes: A Pilot Study. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism 2017;27:458-66. https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/abs/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0038

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate changes in body composition, metabolic rate, and hormones during postcompetition recovery. Data were collected from natural physique athletes (7 male/8 female) within one week before (T1) competition, within one week after (T2), and 4-6 weeks after (T3) competition.

Measures included body composition (fat mass [FM] and lean mass [LM] from ultrasongraphy), resting metabolic rate (RMR; indirect calorimetry), and salivary leptin, testosterone, cortisol, ghrelin, and insulin. Total body water (TBW; bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy) was measured at T1 and T2 in a subsample (n = 8) of athletes.

Significant (p < .05) changes were observed for weight (T1 = 65.4 +/- 12.2 kg, T2 = 67.4 +/- 12.6, T3 = 69.3 +/- 13.4; T3 > T2 > T1), LM (T1 = 57.6 +/- 13.9 kg, T2 = 59.4 +/- 14.2, T3 = 59.3 +/- 14.2; T2 and T3 > T1), and FM (T1 = 7.7 +/- 4.4 kg, T2 = 8.0 +/- 4.4, T3 = 10.0 +/- 6.2; T3 > T1 and T2). TBW increased from T1 to T2 (Delta=1.9 +/- 1.3 L, p < .01).

RMR increased from baseline (1612 +/- 266 kcal/day; 92.0% of predicted) to T2 (1881 +/- 329, 105.3%; p < .01) and T3 (1778 +/- 257, 99.6%; p < .001).

Cortisol was higher (p < .05) at T2 (0.41 +/- 0.31 mug/dL) than T1 (0.34 +/- 0.31) and T3 (0.35 +/- 0.27).

Male testosterone at T3 (186.6 +/- 41.3 pg/mL) was greater than T2 (148.0 +/- 44.6, p = .04). RMR changes were associated (p </= .05) with change in body fat percent (DeltaBF%; r = .59) and T3 protein intake (r= .60); male testosterone changes were inversely associated (p</= .05) with DeltaBF%, DeltaFM, and Deltaweight (r=-0.81--0.88).

TBW increased within days of competition. Precompetition RMR suppression appeared to be variable and markedly reversed by overfeeding, and reverted toward normal levels following competition. RMR and male testosterone increased while FM was preferentially gained 4-6 weeks postcompetition.

 

[Michael Scally MD]

Alterations in Body Composition, Resting Metabolic Rate, Muscular Strength, and Eating Behavior in Response to Natural Bodybuilding Competition Preparation

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 lower-body 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.

Schoenfeld BJ, Alto A, Grgic J, et al. Alterations in Body Composition, Resting Metabolic Rate, Muscular Strength, and Eating Behavior in Response to Natural Bodybuilding Competition Preparation: A Case Study. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 9000;Publish Ahead of Print. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/9000/Alterations_in_Body_Composition,_Resting_Metabolic.94240.aspx