Amateur Body Research Articles

Bodybuilders pneumonia.

Bodybuilders pneumonia.

Metabolic Effects of Eight Weeks of Intermittent Fasting and Resistance Training in Amateur Body Builders

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a modified fasting protocol during resistance training in a healthy amateur body builders. METHODS: 34 amateur body builders participated in this study (age 27±4.2, weight 84.6±6.2). Subjects were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of intermittent fasting (IF) or normal diet (ND). IF subjects consumed 100% of their energy needs from 1pm to 7pm (then they fasting from 8pm to 1pm i.e. 8 hours of feeding and 16 hours of fasting (8/16). Subjects divided they caloric intake in three meals (1pm, 3pm and 7 pm). ND group ingested they caloric intake in three meals consumed at 8am, 1pm and 7pm. Groups are matched for kilocalories consumed. Body composition, resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory ratio (RR), circulating testosterone, IGF-1, glucose, Insulin, Adiponectin, Leptin, T3, TSH, cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α), Cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL) and TG were analysed. Moreover 1RM on bench press and leg press were measured. RESULTS: After 8 weeks only IF group showed a significant decrease of FM (pre 10.92±3.51 post 9.38±2.49 Kg) (p<0.005) whilst LBM showed similar slight increase. Same trend was shown by limbs muscle CSA. Maximal strength showed no changes. Total testosterone showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) only in IF group (pre 20.26±6.51, post 18.66±4.25 mmol/L), same trend is observed for IGF-1 (pre 216.94±49.55, post 188.94±32.01 ng/mL). Blood glucose showed no significant changes, whilst there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) of insulin in IF subjects. Adiponectin significant increased (p<0.05) in IF group. Total Leptine decreased only in IF group but difference disappeared when adjusted per kg of fat mass. T3 decreased only in IF whilst TSH showed no change in both groups. All three measured inflammatory cytokines decreased significantly in IF group compared to ND. No significant changes were measured in REE whilst IF showed a little but significant decrease of RR (p<0.05). No significant changes were detected in total cholesterol, HDL, LDL whilst TG decreased in IF group. CONCLUSIONS:Our results suggest that an IF 8/16 could improve health related biomarkers, decrease inflammation and body fat mass and maintain muscle mass. Future studies to address the long term effects of IF in athletes are warranted

Caution for Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Use: A Case Report of Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome

We report a 42-year-old male amateur body builder and user of anabolic androgenic steroids, who developed ARDS, acute kidney injury, and refractory supraventricular tachycardia. He required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous veno-venous hemodialysis, and catheter ablation. We believe that long-term anabolic androgenic steroid abuse predisposed the patient to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, from its immunomodulatory effects in an otherwise healthy patient. Anabolic androgenic steroid use should be part of the history taking process, since it may complicate diagnosis, disease progression, and prognosis.

A case of necrotizing myopathy with proximal weakness and cardiomyopathy

A male amateur body builder presented at age 23 years with a 2-year history indicative of progressive proximal limb weakness. His initial symptom was a rash which was nonpruritic and he described as “ring” lesions on his trunk which spontaneously resolved after 6 months. Following resolution of

Trenbolone Acetate Use Causing Acute Hepatitis

Purpose: Athletes continuously seek ways to improve performance in their sport and can be drawn to the use of anabolic steroids in order to obtain this goal. They tend to ignore the potentially life-threatening side effects of these drugs and consequently put their overall physical well-being at risk. We describe a case of an amateur body builder who took trenbolone acetate and subsequently developed acute hepatitis. Case: A 40-year-old male amateur bodybuilder took trenbolone acetate by injection for one year and developed jaundice. He had a seven-week history of generalized fatigue, diarrhea with light colored stools, dark urine, and right upper quadrant pain. He denied alcohol use or family history of liver disease. Physical examination showed scleral icterus with a palpable liver 3 centimeters below the costal margin. Laboratory results were significant for Aspartate aminotransferase of 121 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase of 199 IU/L, total bilirubin of 17.4 mg/dL, direct bilirubin of 9.9 mg/dL, albumin of 2.8 mg/dL, total cholesterol of 508 mg/dL, LDL of 389 mg/dL, and HDL of 10 mg/dL. Coagulation profile was normal. Ultrasonography showed a contracted gallbladder with thickened walls and no evidence of intra- or extra-hepatic ductal dilatation. Liver biopsy showed moderately severe parenchymal and canalicular cholestasis with minimal portal inflammation consistent with drug-induced cholestatic hepatitis. Discussion: Hepatic complications associated with anabolic steroid use include hepatocellular and intrahepatic cholestasis. Aminotransferases are usually less than 100 IU\L and serum alkaline phosphatase levels may be mildly elevated. HDL can be decreased and LDL can be increased, which can put these patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. Hepatocellular adenomas and peliosis hepatis have been described. Most of these effects can be reversed upon cessation of the steroids; however there have been fatalities. By methylating testosterone, it undergoes less first pass hepatic metabolism and it's oral bioavailability improves. Trenbolone acetate is a steroid approved for use in veterinary practice as a means of maintaining cattle weight in the days prior to slaughter. It is not approved, nor studied in humans, and its hepatic side effect profile is unknown. Our case reminds health care professionals about the abuse potential of anabolic steroids and the systemic side effects they can cause.

The Amateur Body and the Middle-class Man: Work, Health and Style in Victorian Britain

This article seeks to move the discussion of amateurism beyond the familiar themes of the public school, class distinction and professional corruption. The sporting body is the focus for a discussion of the factors behind the amateur stress on active participation. Amateurism involved more or less strenuous forms of physical exertion by those whose lives increasingly were confined by sedentary office employment. The competitive culture of Victorian work, especially in the City of London, encouraged more systematic forms of sporting contest. Also, poor air quality and new patterns of commuting prompted greater emphasis on outdoor exercise, which was increasingly seen by doctors as beneficial to health. The amateur cult of the active body was further heightened by the widespread Hellenist aesthetic of Victorian society. Hence amateurism was shaped to a greater extent than has been acknowledged by the bodily requirements of work and health as well as by a revived classical ideal of human proportion and beauty.

Eating Attitudes in Noncompetitive Male Body Builders

We have studied the eating attitudes and behaviors as well as some psychological features of 60 male noncompetitive body builders in comparison with 60 male control subjects. All subjects were assessed by a semistructured interview, the Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90) and the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI). Body builders showed a higher body mass index, and a higher frequency of dieting and weight fluctuation, alcohol abuse, and use of anabolic drugs. Compared to the controls they also showed significantly different scores on SCI.-90 and EDI scores, The findings suggest that these amateur body builders show some psychological vulnerability and may be at risk for developing an eating disorder.

The Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Lean Body Mass in Male Amateur Body Builders

LEARNING OUTCOME:To assess the efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on lean body mass in male body builders It has been hypothesized that since L-carnitine is involved in the transport of fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane, supplementation might enhance fatty acid oxidation and thereby improve endurance and performance allowing for a greater training effect. This study examined the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on lean body mass (LBM) in a 60-day trial of 12 male amateur body builders. Subjects were randomly chosen to receive either one gram of L-canitine daily or a placebo. Changes in percent LBM were assessed pre- and post-supplementation using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). No significant difference in the changes of the percentages of LBM between the two groups was evidenced. Several additional dependent variables were assessed. These included: changes in percent body fat, percent LBM minus extracellular fluid (ECF), percent LBM minus total body water, body mass index (BMI), lean to fat ratio, and LBM measured in pounds. None of these variables provided significant differences between the two groups. Thus, L-carnitine supplementation was not effective in increasing lean body mass in male bodybuilders. Additional research with a larger sample to include both male and female subjects, with increased dosage and/or with a longer duration is warranted to further explore the possible ergogenic effects of L-carnitine supplementation.

Deleterious effects of anabolic steroids on serum lipoproteins, blood pressure, and liver function in amateur body builders.

The effects of self-administered anabolic steroids (AS) on lipoproteins, liver function, and blood pressure were studied in male amateur body builders. Twenty body builders were studied at the end of a course of AS (group 1) and 42 body builders were studied after discontinuation of the AS for a mean of 5 months (group 2). Sixteen body builders were studied after discontinuation of AS for at least 2 months and at the end of a 9-week course of AS (group 3). A group of 13 body builders who never used AS served as a control group. Both groups 1 and 2 showed higher levels of transaminas and a higher systolic blood pressure than the controls (P less than 0.05). Group 3 showed an increase of the transaminases an a slight but significant increase of systolic blood pressure (+3 mm Hg) and heart rate (+7 bts/min) after one course of AS (P less than 0.05). Group 1 showed a considerably lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) (P less than 0.001), a higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) (P less than 0.05), and a lower apoprotein A-l/B ratio (Apo A-l/ApoB) (P less than 0.001) than the controls and group 2. The ratio of LDLC/HDLC in group 1 was fourfold higher than in the controls (P less than 0.01). In group 3 HDLC decreased from 1.18 +/- 0.05 to 0.60 +/- 0.08 mmol/l (P less than 0.001) and LDLC increased from 3.97 +/- 0.39 to 5.74 +/- 0.71 mmol/l (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Astronomy in the Big Apple

New York is probably unique in metropolitan cities worldwide in that it has no “official” or “public” astronomical institution. The Amateur Astronomers’ Association, an amateur body, fulfils that role and answers many queries from the general public and various organisations. Founded in 1927, it has around 500 members. Apart from providing all the usual services to its members, it also organizes regular observing sessions in parks and open spaces away from the worst of the light-pollution. It staged very successful public Halley watches in which over 10000 visitors participated.

Drug abuse in body builders in the West of Scotland.

Forty one amateur body builders in a West of Scotland gymnasium were questioned about body building drug usage during the period January 1984 to January 1985. Eight out of 41 (19.5%) had used drugs to enhance their physique and performance. Anabolic and androgenic agents were mainly used but diuretics, thyroxine and human chorionic gonadotrophin were also used. Those who took drugs, in all cases, took combinations of drugs. Drug dosage was generally much in excess of that normally recommended, though there were no serious side effects at the time of the study. If this experience was typical nationwide it would represent a significant number of body builders abusing drugs. In no case was there any medical supervision.

The social basis and changing fortunes of an early scientific institution: an anlysis of the membership of the Royal Society, 1660-1685.

Among seventeenth-century scientific groups, the Royal Society was remarkable for its formal organization and its large size. In contrast to the earlier, more casual scientific conclaves that preceded it in England, the Royal Society was a legally incorporated institution, established by Royal Charter, served by elected officers and with a fixed membership, proposed and elected, which was advertised annually on printed lists. On the other hand, as contemporaries noted, in contrast to the equally ‘established’ Académie des Sciences founded in Paris in 1666, which was served by a small group of scientific research-workers funded by the government, the Royal Society was an almost entirely amateur body, ‘a great assembly of Gentlemen', drawn from various occupational backgrounds. The membership totalled 131 m 1663, rising to 228 by 1669, and the large size and finite nature of the list of Fellows elected to the Society in its early years have assured it attention from historians in a statistically-minded age. In recent years more than one writer has used it in an attempt to illustrate by quantitative means ‘the psychological and sociological origins of modern science’.

Meteor Research in Great Britain

Until recently the serious study of meteors was almost entirely an amateur activity in Great Britain. The British Astronomical Association—itself an amateur body—fostered the great work of Denning, who retired from his profession and lived in penury for the sake of his hobby, and in more recent times the work of J. P. M. Prentice, who is the present director of the meteor section of the Association.