NO preLoad – Olimp

Nitric Oxide – another study shows it doesn’t increase teh pumpz

Posted by Anthony Roberts in Featured Articles, Nutritional Companies & Supplements | 0 comments

Sep 27, 2011

A 2010 study performed at the University of Memphis by Bloomer et al. examined the effects of nitric oxide boosting supplements on hemodynamics in trained bodybuilders, specifically focusing on the so-called “pump” that people claim is increased by nitrate based supplements. The study showed no statistically different measurements in post-training arm circumference, regardless of whether nitrates were consumed or not. In addition, this study showed that there was an elevation of nitrate levels in the body, leading to the conclusion that simply increasing the body’s total amount of NO is not going to increase the pump, regardless of what the unwashed masses, and those selling the stuff, are claiming.

But what if we could put those nitrates directly into the trained muscle, and measure the pump in just that body part? What happens when you apply a topical nitrate to the arms of 14 bodybuilders prior to an arm-training session? Bloomer et al. examined the effect of 2 nitrooxy ethyl 2 amino 3 methylbutanoate mixed in tea tree oil as a carrier solution, and had the bodybuilders use it for a week, but specifically pre-applying it to the trained muscle. The results of their pre-and-post arm training measurements were recorded to determine the results of this direct/localized infusion of nitrates. They also did the same thing with just tea tree oil, as a placebo control, in a crossover design. So what happened?

Well, we know that the nitrates got into the body, because plasma nitrate levels rose significantly. And that’s about it. Yes, after using topical nitrates for a whole week, and specifically applying it to the trained muscle prior to working out, there was no statistically different increase in circumference (i.e. how “pumped” the arm was) versus placebo.

Some of the bodybuilders managed to do more reps with 50% of their 1rm, but that rep range is so far outside of the hypertrophy range that it’s unlikely, if not impossible, to translate to any gains in muscle size. Additionally, not all of the participants were responders who actually managed to get those extra reps in the 50% rm test. Why people continue to claim that this stuff does something for the pump is beyond my understanding…numerous studies have shown that this is not true, and this one shows that even if you apply it directly to the muscle, it’s not going to give you a greater pump.

J Strength Cond Res. 2011 Sep 14. [Epub ahead of print]

Effects of 2 nitrooxy ethyl 2 amino 3 methylbutanoate gel on resistance exercise performance and blood nitrate/nitrite in resistance-trained men.

Bloomer RJ, Alleman RJ Jr, Cantrell GS, Farney TM, Schilling BK.

Abstract

Nitric oxide dietary supplements are popular within the sport community. Our recent work involving oral intake of 2 nitrooxy ethyl 2 amino 3 methylbutanoate demonstrated a ∼6.7% increase in circulating nitrate/nitrite. However, no measures of exercise performance were obtained. The present study used a topical form of this molecule to determine the impact on exercise performance and blood nitrate/nitrite. Fourteen resistance-trained men (24±1 years old) reported to the lab on two occasions to undergo exercise testing, which consisted of arm curl isometric force and muscular endurance (three sets to fatigue using 80%, 65%, and 50% of 1RM: total of 9 sets). The gel (2 nitrooxy ethyl 2 amino 3 methylbutanoate; mixed in tea tree oil) or placebo (tea tree oil) was applied topically by subjects for seven days prior to each test day, with 7-10 days separating the randomly-ordered conditions. Blood samples, arm circumference, and perceived “muscle pump” were taken before and immediately following exercise on both test days. Heart rate and perceived exertion were measured after each set. No statistically significant differences were noted between conditions for performance variables (p>0.05). However, when using a load of 50% of 1RM, 6.2% more repetitions were performed when using the gel as compared to placebo; 19.9% more repetitions were performed by 8 subjects noted to be “responders” to gel treatment. Blood lactate and muscle pump significantly increased with exercise (p<0.0001), but were not different between conditions (p>0.05). Minimal change was noted in nitrate/nitrite, and heart rate and perceived exertion were nearly identical between conditions (p>0.05). These findings indicate that 2 nitrooxy ethyl 2 amino 3 methylbutanoate gel has a modest (6.2%), non-statistically significant effect on exercise performance, in particular when using a load of 50% 1RM-with greater benefit noted in selected individuals. Studies inclusive of a larger sample size are needed to extend these initial findings.