Science
-
Why home genetic testing doesn’t work
Read more →For decades, professional bodybuilders have sworn by genetics as the factor most responsible for success. Others, however, have rightly noted that performance-enhancing drugs have substantially contributed to professional physique development in the past decades. Still, genetics are the overriding regulator of size, density, hardness and other muscular qualities, even if you use steroids and other performance-enhancing products. In fact, you could say that there’s been a shift in our understanding of the body. We’re now in the era of genetics. This was recently confirmed by the development of new home genetic-testing kits that have hit the market, promising individualized “genetic...
-
Changing routines keeps muscles and tendons healthy
Read more →We all have favorite exercises, and while they can get us good and strong for a while, we really should change things up – and not just to keep boredom from setting in or because we’ve hit a plateau. A new study shows that mixing it up every so often with a new routine does more than just build muscle – it prevents your muscle-tendon complex from degrading. Your muscle-tendon complex is the point at which your force-generating muscles connect to your tendons and transmit that force. Healthy tendons are essential because they must be fairly elastic and flexible to...
-
You can be genetically disposed to injuries
Read more →As bodybuilders, we spend a lot of time talking about genetics, especially when talking about our ultimate potential and maximum natural (and chemically assisted) limits. Talking about genetics has almost become cliché. Now, however, scientists have made a remarkable discovery: Your risk of injury may be genetically determined. Using recent advances in genetics and tendon and ligament research, scientists in Cape Town, South Africa, have implicated the COL1A1 gene in soft tissue and ligament injuries. This has been confirmed as an explanation for why some people are predisposed to injuring their Achilles tendons, knees, and rotator cuffs and shoulders. FUSION...
-
Fat slows injury recovery
Read more →A new study looked at how being overweight – namely, having high body fat percentages or being obese – affected recovery time from knee injuries, something bodybuilders get frequently. It found that fatter people recovered much more slowly than their leaner counterparts. FUSION FACT You might not have needed more reasons to stay lean, but you can add yet another one to the list. Being overweight – or “bulking up” – can slow your recovery time from injury, ultimately keeping you out of the gym longer than needed. So keep it as lean as possible while still packing on the...
-
Kettlebell Swings’ Influence on Core Strength and Back Health
Read more →Even though kettlebells are somewhat new to the fitness world, and not everyone welcomes new fads, they may have their place in a bodybuilder’s or athlete’s exercise routine. Research from Canada shows that there’s a potential benefit to an exercise called a kettlebell swing, and it’s actually a great core exercise, believe it or not. The reason this exercise is great is that it is a whole-body exercise and helps increase core strength. It requires control of the fast-moving weight by upper body muscles, as well as usage of the legs and hips. The swing component of it is initiated...
-
Phosphatidylserine works
Read more →Many supplement companies rely on hype to sell their products, so it’s easy for bodybuilders to get confused about what works and what doesn’t. Hype causes confusion about not only blockbuster ingredients such as creatine and nitric oxide but also old-school supplements making a comeback, such as phosphatidylserine (PtdSer). This phospholipid, found in soy protein, was used heavily by the old-school pros, who swore that it gave them great results. In recent times, it has been cast aside. But does it really work? Yes – without a doubt! The evidence shows clearly that PtdSer increases your endurance and performance in...
SIGN UP NOW
Sign up to receive the latest FUSION BODYBUILDING news, and information.
