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It is no secret that a large percentage of bodybuilders have turned to the Human Growth Hormone for the purpose of enhancing their bodies. The results however do vary greatly when measuring the drug's efficacy in increasing strength and improving body composition. Research data has yet to provide consistent results. Some studies suggest that short-term usage has a negligible effect on the rate of skeletal muscle protein synthesis and total body protein breakdown despite increased levels of IGF-1. Other studies conclude that when used on healthy adults, under the right conditions, short-term anabolic effects are the result. Long-term research has not yielded data that indicates an increase in muscle mass after prolonged use.
In an attempt to actually measure the effects of HGH in conjunction with resistance training, a group of researchers utilized healthy adult men and employed a number of methods to reach the following conclusion: HGH treated subjects demonstrate a much larger increase in fat free mass. It was then decided that it was a result of excess water retention. This deduction was based the rapidity of the increase as well as the rate at which the mass was reduced once the HGH was discontinued. No significant increase in muscle size and strength was observed as compared to the placebo group. While an increase in total body protein synthesis did occur, no change was observed in the rate of fractional skeletal muscle synthesis.
Another study was done on a group of highly trained bodybuilders over the course of six weeks. Once again a resistance training program was incorporated. The results showed that the HGH had no effect on the strength and body composition of the treated subjects as compared to the other placebo group.
A similar six week study was done on a group of highly conditioned men and women. Resistance and Aerobic training was incorporated into the study and here were the results: There was once again an increase in fat free mass. It is not known whether this is a result of skeletal muscle protein synthesis. Increased fat loss was observed as well, supporting the reports, which state that the use of HGH promotes fat loss.
There are bodybuilders who use HGH in order maximize fat loss. The hormone has proven useful in this capacity, but for those body builders who compete in strength and endurance events, it may not be as viable an option. In some cases it has prevented the user from reaching his/her normal level of performance. Researchers believe this is due to increased levels of plasma lactate in those receiving injections.
There are also chronic side effects, which can compromise performance, as well as the health of the athlete. The most common is insulin resistance, which as a result deprives the muscle of needed glucose. Reduced liver and muscle glycogen storage can also be a problem, as it affects not only the athlete's ability to recuperate from strenuous training but impairs his/her all around performance. In addition to those already mentioned, the athlete must also contend with the possibility of edema, arthralgia and even cardiac arrhythmia, in extreme cases. Some consider this list of negatives an exaggeration but in order for the athlete to make an informed decision all possibilities must be looked at.
Yet another detriment was discovered when studying the effects of Human Growth Hormone on muscle fiber. There are 2 major types of muscle fiber. The most common is 2x. Muscular tissue in people who are less active, contain larger quantities of this muscle fiber type. Type 2a muscle fiber is prevalent in the muscles of athletes who are highly trained. It has become evident that HGH causes the muscle fiber type to shift from type 2a to 2x. This counteraction on trained muscle could severely impede an athlete's ability to perform.
With all the studies that have been conducted suggesting that there is no real significant gain to be had by the use HGH in the areas of muscle mass and strength, why are there still athletes out there singing the praises of HGH as a performance enhancer? There are two possibilities: The first could be that all the research data is wrong. The other perhaps more likely possibility, is that bodybuilders are confusing muscle increase with muscle definition. As mentioned earlier water retention is a known side effect and can very easily be confused with increased muscle mass.
Putting aside whatever psychological motivation there may be behind an athlete's endorsement of the drug, the current data clearly indicates that the positive effects of HGH, in the areas of increased strength, body composition and protein synthesis are negligible. Adding in other factors such as training regimens and other drugs has had no clear impact to the data either.
This, in combination with all the possible negatives associated with the use of HGH by performance bodybuilders leads to the obvious conclusion that it is not in the best interest of these athletes to utilize this drug for risk of compromised performance as well as possible health concerns.
