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| Research and Development While conducting a nutritional research project related to the cardiovascular system at The Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, a team of Medical Doctors, biochemists and exercise physiologists were approached by professional athletes seeking a nutritional alternative to anabolic steroids. Intrigued by the possibility, the team was immediately challenged by the task of developing a credible, reproducible protocol that would produce an expected result. The initial challenge to the protocol was the establishment of “clinical baseline” parameters. Basically, in order to scientifically document a “change”, one must first establish or define what constitutes “normal” or “typical”. Specifically, the question was “what is the maximum normal output?” The answer to this question was complicated by two primary issues: each test subject had differing capabilities and; is the protocol inducing a building or conditioning effect. In order to reduce such variables, test subject deemed to be in “elite” condition were recruited. Furthermore, available studies had indicated the impact of the use of anabolic steroids to be 7% improved performance in the “elite” athlete. Exhaustive evaluation of professional and amateur athletes from football, baseball and basketball failed to produce reliable baseline subjects. Eventually, world class competitive bodybuilders were determined to present reliable baseline data. Initially surprising to the team, growing familiarity with the bodybuilding regimen induced theoretical development. Bodybuilders attempt to maximize the performance of a greater number of muscle groups than those typically needed in the execution of most, if not every, other athletic competition. By increasing the demand on each muscle, increase in cardiovascular performance related to that muscle would also be expected. It is unclear as to what specific biochemical mechanisms and pathways contribute to the observed results. However, some theories have been proposed. next |
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