30 Seconds SummaryLessons Learned From Recent Case Studies of Drug-Tested Physique Athletes
- Recent studies have increased our understanding of natural bodybuilders by focusing on ethical and drug-free competition practices.
- Four case studies on natural bodybuilders highlight that lean mass and strength typically decrease during contest preparation despite efforts to maintain it.
- Loss of lean mass accounted for 21-43% of the total weight loss in the athletes studied, indicating significant muscle mass loss.
- Longer contest preparations, with a slower rate of weight loss (about 0.5% of body weight weekly), are suggested to better retain muscle mass.
- Significant hormonal changes occur due to the stress of contest preparation, including reductions in testosterone, insulin, leptin, and thyroid hormones, while cortisol levels double.
- Post-competition recovery of body weight and fat helps normalize hormone levels and metabolic rates, but full recovery may take longer than the period of weight and fat gain.
- Menstrual cycle irregularities in female competitors can persist beyond the immediate post-competition recovery phase.
- Sufficient offseason periods between competitions are recommended to allow hormone levels and overall health to fully normalize.
Biolayne
Peter Fitschen
