Shane Rogerson

The effect of five weeks of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on muscle strength and body composition during preseason training in elite rugby league players.

Tribulus terrestris is an herbal nutritional supplement that is promoted to produce large gains in strength and lean muscle mass in 5–28 days (15, 18). Although some manufacturers claim T. terrestris will not lead to a positive drug test, others have suggested that T. terrestris may increase the urinary testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio, which may place athletes at risk of a positive drug test. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of T. terrestris on strength, fat free mass, and the urinary T/E ratio during 5 weeks of preseason training in elite rugby league players. Twenty-two Australian elite male rugby league players (mean ± SD; age = 19.8 ± 2.9 years; weight = 88.0 ± 9.5 kg) were match-paired and randomly assigned in a double-blind manner to either a T. terrestris (n = 11) or placebo (n = 11) group. All subjects performed structured heavy resistance training as part of the clubs preseason preparations. A T. terrestris extract (450 mg·d-1) or placebo capsules were consumed once daily for 5 weeks. Muscular strength, body composition, and the urinary T/E ratio were monitored prior to and after supplementation. After 5 weeks of training, strength and fat free mass increased significantly without any between-group differences. No between-group differences were noted in the urinary T/E ratio. It was concluded that T. terrestris did not produce the large gains in strength or lean muscle mass that many manufacturers claim can be experienced within 5–28 days. Furthermore, T. terrestris did not alter the urinary T/E ratio and would not place an athlete at risk of testing positive based on the World Anti-Doping Agencys urinary T/E ratio limit of 4:1.

The effect of short-term use of testosterone enanthate on muscular strength and power in healthy young men

Use of testosterone enanthate has been shown to significantly increase strength within 6–12 weeks of administration (2, 9), however, it is unclear if the ergogenic benefits are evident in less than 6 weeks. Testosterone enanthate is classified as a prohibited substance by the World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) and its use may be detected by way of the urinary testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio (16). The two objectives of this study were to establish (a) if injection of 3.5 mg·kg-1 testosterone enanthate once per week could increase muscular strength and cycle sprint performance in 3–6 weeks; and (b) if the WADA-imposed urinary T/E ratio of 4:1 could identify all subjects being administered 3.5 mg·kg-1 testosterone enanthate. Sixteen healthy young men were match-paired and were assigned randomly in a double-blind manner to either a testosterone enanthate or a placebo group. All subjects performed a structured heavy resistance training program while receiving either testosterone enanthate (3.5 mg·kg-1) or saline injections once weekly for 6 weeks. One repetition maximum (1RM) strength measures and 10-second cycle sprint performance were monitored at the pre (week 0), mid (week 3), and post (week 6) time points. Body mass and the urinary T/E ratio were measured at the pre (week 0) and post (week 6) time points. When compared with baseline (pre), 1RM bench press strength and total work during the cycle sprint increased significantly at week 3 (p < 0.01) and week 6 (p < 0.01) in the testosterone enanthate group, but not in the placebo group. Body mass at week 6 was significantly greater than at baseline in the testosterone enanthate group (p < 0.01), but not in the placebo group. Despite the clear ergogenic effects of testosterone enanthate in as little as 3 weeks, 4 of the 9 subjects in the testosterone enanthate group (−44%) did not test positive to testosterone under current WADA urinary T/E ratio criteria.

What do changes in prematch vs. postmatch, 1, 2, and 3 days postmatch body weight tell us about fluid status in English premiership rugby union players?

Meir, RA, Brooks, LO, and Rogerson, S. What do changes in prematch vs. postmatch, 1, 2, and 3 days postmatch body weight tell us about fluid status in English Premiership rugby union players? J Strength Cond Res 25(8): 2337-2343, 2011—This study investigated changes in body weight pre and postmatch and 1, 2, and 3 days postmatch. Thirty-six players contracted to an English Premiership rugby union club had their pre and postmatch body weight and 1, 2, and 3 day postmatch body weight recorded across 14 matches played (10 at home and 4 away) during the official 2003-2004 professional rugby union season, representing a total of 262 player appearances. Body weight was recorded using a set of calibrated Seca digital scales with players wearing underwear only and toweled dry of all sweat (postmatch). Players were allowed to ingest fluid ad libitum throughout each match. A number of players recorded pre to postmatch reductions of body weight of >2% with some as high as 4.9%. Significant position-specific mean reductions in prematch to postmatch body weight (±SD) were found for both forwards (1.94 ± 0.14 kg) and backs (1.04 ± 0.17 kg). The mean gain in postmatch to 1-day postmatch body weight was significant for forwards (1.40 ± 0.27 kg) but not for backs (0.76 ± 0.30 kg). There were no significant mean differences between prematch and 2 or 3 days postmatch body weight for either forwards or backs. Forwards on average lost a significantly greater proportion of their weight pre to postmatch than backs (p = 0.005). Forwards were on average 99.5% of the prematch weight at 1 day postmatch, whereas backs were 99.7% (p = 0.598). Forwards were 99.6% of their prematch weight at 3 days postmatch, whereas backs were 100.4% (p = 0.035). Changes in fluid status can be effectively monitored by recording changes in body weight and is useful where players are undertaking training sessions within 1, 2, or 3 days after their last match as a measure of rehydration status.

The effects of short term recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on blood rheology in healthy young males

INTRODUCTION It has been shown that growth hormone (GH) exerts regulatory effects on hemorheology and other metabolic functions. GH stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and GH-IGF-I system has profound effects on body fluid status. There are speculations that GH has become widely used as a performance enhancing drug among athletes of various sports. The present study evaluated the possible hemorheological effects of short term administration of human recombinant growth hormone (rhGH) in healthy young males. METHODOLOGY Thirty young healthy males (27 ± 9) participated in a 29 days study where it was administered either 0.9% sodium chloride or 1 mg of human rhGH from day 1 to day 7. The participants were randomly assigned into either placebo (C) n = 15 or rhGH 1 mg/day (rhGH) group n = 15. This study evaluated plasma fibrinogen levels, red blood cell (RBC) aggregation, deformability and serum IGF-I levels between and within the groups along 29 days. RESULTS There was a significant increase in erythrocytes aggregation index post injection (day 8), in accordance to an increase in serum IGF-I.

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial Investigating the Impact of a Workplace Resilience Program During a Time of Significant Organizational Change.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a short-term resilience intervention as measured by the Resilience at Work (RAW) scale. Methods: A 5-week resilience program was implemented with 28 volunteers and assessed by the 20-item RAW scale. The scale was administered electronically and participants were match paired into either a treatment or control group. Statistical analysis was conducted using a 2 × 2 group (Treatment, control) × time (pre, post) analysis of variance with repeated measures. Results: Postintervention time point RAW total score was significantly greater in the treatment group (P < 0.01) and statistical significance was also achieved for four of the seven subscales. Conclusion: Employee resilience can be improved via specific educational and skills training requiring a total time commitment of just 5 hours, making this intervention feasible for most working environments.