Physiological implications of preparing for a natural male bodybuilding competition

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the body composition and physiological changes which take place during the in-season and recovery periods of a group of natural bodybuilders. Natural male bodybuilders (n = 9) were assessed 16 (PRE16), 8 (PRE8), and 1 (PRE1) week(s) before, and 4 (POST4) weeks after a bodybuilding competition. Assessments included body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), serum hormones, and 7-day weighed food and training diaries. Change in parameters was assessed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Dietary protein intake remained high throughout the study period (2.8-3.1 g kg d). Fat mass (FM) was significantly reduced from PRE16 to PRE1 (8.8 ± 3.1 vs. 5.3 ± 2.4 kg, P < .01). There was a small decrease in lean mass (LM) from PRE8 to PRE1 (71.8 ± 9.1 vs. 70.9 ± 9.1 kg, P < .05). No changes in RMR were observed (P > .05). Large reductions in total and free testosterone (16.4 ± 4.4 vs. 10.1 ± 3.6 nmol L, P < .05; 229.3 ± 72.4 vs. 116.8 ± 76.9 pmol L, P < .05), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (27.0 ± 7.7 vs. 19.9 ± 7.6 nmol L, P < .05) occurred between PRE16 and PRE1. LM and IGF-1 increased from PRE1 to POST4 (70.9 ± 9.1 vs. 72.5 ± 8.5 kg, P < .05; 19.9 ± 7.6 vs. 25.4 ± 9.3 nmol L, P < .05). Despite substantial reductions in FM, participants maintained almost all of their LM. The reduction in anabolic hormone concentration is likely attributable to the prolonged negative energy balance, despite a high dietary protein intake.

Oxidative stress, inflammation, psychological status, and severity of respiratory infections are negatively affected during the pre-contest period in amateur bodybuilders

“…These findings are consistent with previous findings in bodybuilders, whereby fat mass was significantly reduced in PreC and FFM was preserved (Bamman et al, 1993;Mäestu et al, 2010;Mitchell et al, 2018).…”

“…Bodybuilding is a sport in which competitors are judged by their muscular appearance, presenting characteristics that include extreme muscular development, very low levels of body fat, and symmetrical physiques (Helms et al, 2014). Bodybuilders generally employ two distinct phases in their preparation: "Off season" (OffS), whereby the main focus is on maximizing muscle hypertrophy and body mass gain, achieved primarily through altered training volumes combined with a hypercaloric diet and positive energy balance (Spendlove et al, 2015;De Moraes et al, 2017); and a pre-competitive period (PreC), lasting from 9 to 26 weeks before the competition (Rossow et al, 2013;Mitchell et al 2018), when athletes focus on reducing body fat stores while maintaining fat-free mass levels specific to competing in a given weight class. In this phase, bodybuilders enter a negative energy balance, usually brought about by elevations in training volume, inclusion of aerobic activity and the use of restrictive diets (Bamman et al, 1993;Newton et al, 1993;Helms et al, 2014;Spendlove et al, 2015).…”

A Narrative Review on Female Physique Athletes: The Physiological and Psychological Implications of Weight Management Practices

“…In the pre-competition phase, the majority of athletes attempt to reduce body fat levels and preserve LBM using a combination of rigorous resistance and aerobic training, while manipulating their nutritional intake to achieve a negative energy balance (Hackett et al, 2013;Petrizzo et al, 2017). The precompetition phase lasts between 12 and 24 weeks (Mitchell et al, 2018) and athletes are likely to compete between two to three times per year . Usually, the pre-competition phase is followed by a recovery phase (a transition to off-season), during which athletes increase their total energy intake and decrease their total training load (Hulmi et al, 2016).…”

Nutritional and Pharmacological Strategies of Bodybuilders in Preparation Period for Competition

“…Corroborating, Mitchell, et al [21], analyzed natural male bodybuilders, their results showed a large reduction in total and free testosterone and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) occurred between PRE16 and PRE1 (weeks of training before competition). The authors comment about the reduction in anabolic hormone concentration is likely attributable to the prolonged negative energy balance, despite a high dietary protein intake, the same nutritional strategies adopted for our participants.…”