IGX

Shaf wrote:Sadly, Nafod, the research being the "neurohormonal" aspect of training is scant, even including Kraemer's shit.

Delve into the research, and you'll see the remodeling is much more likely related to load and tension and mechanical work. The hormonal cascades may be related to that, but they aren't the drivers for changes IN THE LEVELS THE BODY CAN RELEASE, not superphysiological levels.

1.6. Will I/can I get big doing CrossFit?

If you train the WODs hard, and eat right and get lots of sleep, you will definitely gain lean mass, lose fat, and yes, you can build muscle mass with the crossfit protocol. More specifically, according to Coach,
Here is a hierarchy of training for mass from greater to lesser efficacy:
1. Bodybuilding on steroids
2. CrossFitting on steroids
3. CrossFitting without steroids
4. Bodybuilding without steroids
The bodybuilding model is designed around, requires, steroids for significant hypertrophy.
The neuroendocrine response of bodybuilding protocols is so blunted that without "exogenous hormonal therapy" little happens.
The CrossFit protocol is designed to elicit a substantial neuroendocrine whollop and hence packs an anabolic punch that puts on impressive amounts of muscle though that is not our concern. Strength is.
Natural bodybuilders (the natural ones that are not on steroids) never approach the mass that our ahtletes do. They don't come close.
Those athletes who train for function end up with better form than those who value form over function. This is one of the beautiful ironies of training.

nafod wrote:Protocols high in volume, moderate to high in intensity, using short rest intervals and stressing a large muscle mass, tend to produce the greatest acute hormonal elevations (e.g. testosterone, GH and the catabolic hormone cortisol) compared with low-volume, high-intensity protocols using long rest intervals.

bill fox wrote:Don't miss todays groundbreaking core strength demo. Notice the rapt attention and multiple angle photos being taken to capture this moment in core strength.

http://www.crossfit.com/

GoDogGo! wrote:

bill fox wrote:Don't miss todays groundbreaking core strength demo. Notice the rapt attention and multiple angle photos being taken to capture this moment in core strength.

http://www.crossfit.com/

LOL at the guy squatting with the camera to get the proper ass profile shot.

GDG!

Shaf wrote:"Periodization Breakthrough" is a bit dated.

I waffle on whether or not I think the effects of exercise on acute hormonal releases is desirable or if it's almost all a mechanical issue with hormonal cascades as a side effect of the proper mechanical stimulus.

Short vs. long rest period between the sets in hypertrophic resistance training: Influence on muscle strength, size, and hormonal adaptations in trained men. J. Strength Cond. Res. 19(3):572-582. 2005.

Acute and long-term hormonal and neuromuscular adaptations to hypertrophic strength training were studied in 13 recreationally strength-trained men. The experimental design comprised a 6-month hypertrophic strength-training period including 2 separate 3-month training periods with the crossover design, a training protocol of short rest (SR, 2 minutes) as compared with long rest (LR, 5 minutes) between the sets...testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), and cortisol (C), maximal isometric strength of the leg extensors, right leg 1 repetition maximum (1RM), dietary analysis, and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) of the quadriceps were measured at months 0, 3, and 6. The 2 hypertrophic training protocols used in training for the leg extensors (leg presses and squats with 10RM sets) were also examined in the laboratory conditions at months 0, 3, and 6.

The exercise protocols were similar with regard to the total volume of work (loads × sets × reps), but differed with regard to the intensity and the length of rest between the sets (higher intensity and longer rest of 5 minutes vs. somewhat lower intensity but shorter rest of 2 minutes).

Both protocols before the experimental training period (month 0) led to large acute increases in serum T, FT, C , and GH concentrations...However, no significant differences were observed between the protocols. Significant increases of 7% in maximal isometric force, 16% in the right leg 1RM, and 4% in the muscle CSA of the quadriceps femoris were observed during the 6-month strength-training period. However, both 3-month training periods performed with either the longer or the shorter rest periods between the sets resulted in similar gains in muscle mass and strength.

The present study indicated that, within typical hypertrophic strength-training protocols used in the present study, the length of the recovery times between the sets (2 vs. 5 minutes) did not have an influence on the magnitude of acute hormonal and neuromuscular responses or long-term training adaptations in muscle strength and mass in previously strength-trained men.

In spite of the popularity of those training systems (go heavier with longer rest), no previous studies on physiological and/or long-term training responses to high-intensity hypertrophic training systems have been published so far.

Nevertheless, the results of the present study further suggest that strength training induced changes in the acute total and free testosterone responses after the heavy-resistance exercise may contribute to muscle hypertrophy of the trained muscles.

Scott Shetler wrote:This is unbelievable, I found it on the @fit @tlanta site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crossfitatlanta/316141914/

Unbelievable..

Do you think the dog deadlifts 750?!?!

-Scott

This is unbelievable, I found it on the @fit @tlanta site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crossfitatlanta/316141914/

sanchezero wrote:BTW, the 1st tier xfit chix are teh ha\/\/tnez!!111!!!