Nutrient-Nut
New member
By Brian Batcheldor (S-Files)
Q: I understand that anabolic steroids assist in muscle growth and possibly help the tendons, as well. Is there anything out there, solely for your tendons, that can triple or quadruple their strength? Maybe someone was experimenting with something back in the early part of the century and didn't know what they had—there's always a possibility.
Also, is there anything out there that increases adrenaline dramatically? I've read about experiments in the Soviet Union that were used to assist in muscle growth, endurance, speed, and just incredible power period.
A: Contrary to popular belief, anabolic steroids are far from helpful with tendon strength. Although much of the research is conflicting, the conclusion drawn from the majority of the research and most anecdotal evidence indicates that therapeutic dosages (do you know anybody taking those?)—when taken for a short cycle—may help tendon injuries by increasing collagen synthesis and tendon density.
However, when you use the normal dosages used by many bodybuilders, we see a completely different scenario: decreased collagen biosynthesis; dysplasia of collagen fibrils; stiffer tendons; and decreased tensile strength. In summary, the short-term use of some anabolics, e.g. Deca, would likely help with connective tissue injuries, but the normal pattern of use with bodybuilders would likely lead to an increased incidence of them.
There is much evidence, however, to support the use of GH and IGF-1 as means of increasing tendon strength or recovering from tendon/ligament injury. I have personally tried localized tendon injections of IGF-1 on several athletes with much success after they had been plagued with the same injury for a long time—sometimes several years.
The good thing with these agents is that, unlike anabolics, they offer support over the long run. By the way, as I mentioned in an earlier article, sodium pentosan polysulfate is an excellent product for connective tissue injuries or conditions such as tendonitis and would be a good thing to include in any anabolic regimen as it also lowers cholesterol.
As far as adrenaline elevation, I have commonly witnessed the use of adrenaline injections normally administered for anaphylaxis (e.g. reactions to bee stings) during powerlifting competitions. It may be fine for peak performance during some events or occasional workouts as part of a well-planned cycle, but doing this regularly, such as during training sessions, will bring about a catabolic state after a while.
Of course, endocrine stimulation that induces ACTH elevation in a burst pattern leads to a corresponding testosterone elevation. However, prolonged continuous elevation results in exactly the opposite effect, as witnessed after depot injections of ACTH.
Q: I understand that anabolic steroids assist in muscle growth and possibly help the tendons, as well. Is there anything out there, solely for your tendons, that can triple or quadruple their strength? Maybe someone was experimenting with something back in the early part of the century and didn't know what they had—there's always a possibility.
Also, is there anything out there that increases adrenaline dramatically? I've read about experiments in the Soviet Union that were used to assist in muscle growth, endurance, speed, and just incredible power period.
A: Contrary to popular belief, anabolic steroids are far from helpful with tendon strength. Although much of the research is conflicting, the conclusion drawn from the majority of the research and most anecdotal evidence indicates that therapeutic dosages (do you know anybody taking those?)—when taken for a short cycle—may help tendon injuries by increasing collagen synthesis and tendon density.
However, when you use the normal dosages used by many bodybuilders, we see a completely different scenario: decreased collagen biosynthesis; dysplasia of collagen fibrils; stiffer tendons; and decreased tensile strength. In summary, the short-term use of some anabolics, e.g. Deca, would likely help with connective tissue injuries, but the normal pattern of use with bodybuilders would likely lead to an increased incidence of them.
There is much evidence, however, to support the use of GH and IGF-1 as means of increasing tendon strength or recovering from tendon/ligament injury. I have personally tried localized tendon injections of IGF-1 on several athletes with much success after they had been plagued with the same injury for a long time—sometimes several years.
The good thing with these agents is that, unlike anabolics, they offer support over the long run. By the way, as I mentioned in an earlier article, sodium pentosan polysulfate is an excellent product for connective tissue injuries or conditions such as tendonitis and would be a good thing to include in any anabolic regimen as it also lowers cholesterol.
As far as adrenaline elevation, I have commonly witnessed the use of adrenaline injections normally administered for anaphylaxis (e.g. reactions to bee stings) during powerlifting competitions. It may be fine for peak performance during some events or occasional workouts as part of a well-planned cycle, but doing this regularly, such as during training sessions, will bring about a catabolic state after a while.
Of course, endocrine stimulation that induces ACTH elevation in a burst pattern leads to a corresponding testosterone elevation. However, prolonged continuous elevation results in exactly the opposite effect, as witnessed after depot injections of ACTH.