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We all go through periods when pumps elude us. Frankly, these periods really suck. And
worse, they seem beyond explanation. It's a bloody shame, considering how motivating
enlarged, vascular muscles can be. As Arnold once said, a huge pump in a body part is
almost as good as having sex… and you know how you feel when you're denied that. So
what can you do? What, oh what can you do?
Second, a muscle full of glycogen has greater cell volume, which — at least pragmatically
— facilitates (allows?) a big pump.
Another big factor, one that's affected positively by anabolic agents, is potassium shift.
Potassium is our primary intracellular cation (positively charged mineral in this case).
When one's growing on androgens, insulin, beta-agonists and the like, there's typically a
shift in this electrolyte.(2,9) It moves from the vascular and interstitial spaces (extracellular
compartment) to the intramuscular space. As the mineral enters, water accompanies it.
We've all seen professional bodybuilders "blow up" their muscle bellies in just brief
periods by (presumably) using such traditional anabolics. Conversely, preserving optimal
amounts of muscle potassium is one reason behind the popularity of "potassium-sparing
diuretics" in competitive bodybuilding.
Fourth, intramuscular creatine elevation occurs in methods similar to those discussed for
potassium (anabolic agents, etc.). Elevated creatine concentrations within skeletal
muscle are a longstanding way to make a muscle appear bigger.
Lastly, leanness also contributes to a satisfying pump as muscular changes are more
visible.
By reading that brief list, we see that there are some opportunities for intervention. There
are a few substances that can increase peripheral blood flow, such as ginkgo(10,11) and
there are environmental issues like temperature. And of course, proper hydration is
critical, regardless of how one chooses to manipulate it (via distilled, filtered or even tap
water).
Okay, that'll get us fluid availability but what about materially affecting the target muscle
cells?
Basically, the more stuff we can get into our muscles, the better our chance of an
explosive pump. Creatine, carbohydrates, potassium, magnesium (the second most
abundant intracellular cation), intramuscular triacylglycerol (fat), and amino acids like
alanine and glutamine are key nutrients. We'll tackle these in turn below.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about reversing flatness and expanding our muscles is
the time frame associated with it. I'm going to propose a one-week period (if the lifter is
already lean) to banish the flatness demon for at least a while.
So here are both acute and more chronic strategies for a hypothetical "pumpless"
individual who has no contraindications:
So if you're flatly sick and tired of being flat, sick, and tired, then there you go, girlie man.
There really are reasons for the elusive nature of monster pumps. And beware; there's a
real possibility of going through life in a chronic state of glycogen depression, fatigue,
and muscle staleness due to underfeeding and intense training.(5) Understanding both
the physiologic and pragmatic aspects of "localized hyperemia" will almost surely pump
[clap] you up!
Be sure to hit a few shots in the mirror for me after your victorious ascension from
flatness.
References
Andersen, P. and Henrickson, J. Capillary supply of the quadriceps femoris muscle of man: adaptive response
to exercise. J Physiol (Lond) 1977; 270: 677.
Baron, A. and Clark, M. Role of blood flow in the regulation of muscle glucose uptake. Annu Rev Nutr 1997;
17:487-99.
Balon, T., et al. Effects of carbohydrate loading and weight-lifting on muscle girth. Int J Sport Nutr 1992
Dec;2(4):328-34.
Bowles, D., et al. Coronary smooth muscle and endothelial adaptations to exercise training. Exerc Sport Sci
Rev 2000 Apr;28(2):57-62.
Costill, D., et al. Effects of repeated days of intensified training on muscle glycogen and swimming
performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1988; 20:249.
Del Aguila, L., et al. Muscle damage impairs insulin stimulation of IRS-1, PI 3-kinase, and Akt-kinase in human
skeletal muscle. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2000 Jul;279(1):E206-12.
Doyle, J., et al. Effects of eccentric and concentric exercise on muscle glycogen replenishment. J Appl Physiol
1993; 74(4): 1848-1855.
Jung, F., et al. Effect of Ginkgo biloba on fluidity of blood and peripheral microcirculation in volunteers.
Arzneimittelforschung 1990 May;40(5):589-93.
McKenna, D., et al. Efficacy, safety, and use of ginkgo biloba in clinical and preclinical applications. Altern Ther
Health Med 2001 Sep-Oct;7(5):70-86, 88-90.
Pizza, F., et al. A carbohydrate loading regimen improves high intensity, short duration exercise performance.
Int J Sport Nutr 1995 Jun;5(2):110-6.
Rauch, L. er al. The effects of carbohydrate loading on muscle glycogen content and cycling performance. Int
J Sport Nutr 1995 Mar;5(1):25-36.
Sexton, T. and Lowery, L. Effects of eccentric exercise on glucose kinetics and insulin concentrations in
resistance-trained athletes. Oh J Sci (Medicine and Biology) 2001; 101(1)(abstr):13.
Silber, M. Scientific facts behind creatine monohydrate as sport nutrition supplement. J Sports Med Phys
Fitness 1999 Sep;39(3):179-88.
Steenge, G., et al. Protein- and carbohydrate-induced augmentation of whole body creatine retention in
humans. 2000 Sep;89: 3, 1165-1171.
Widrick, J., et al. Time course of glycogen accumulation after eccentric exercise. J Appl Physiol 1992 May;
72(5):1999-2004.#post130987
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