Written by MuscleTech Research & Development
09 October 2006
 

Bodybuilding Q&A

 

Q. You always hear about pro athletes and bodybuilders getting an MRI after they get injured. What the heck is an MRI?

A. MRI refers to a technique called magnetic resonance imaging. It consists of a computerized reconstruction of an image built from a series of snapshots that reveal special differences in the tissue examined. MRI detects differences in vibrations of hydrogen ions through the use of an externally applied magnetic field to build this image.

MRI is a very accurate examination technique and that's why it's commonly used to help diagnose serious injuries. For example, if an athlete has a knee injury, the image produced by performing MRI can reveal exactly which ligaments or tendons have been damaged. Also, researchers often use this technique to study changes in lean body mass (measuring hypertrophy or atrophy of muscle) in scientific studies.1

 

Q. If I'm doing heavy squats, is it a good idea to use a weightlifting belt to help spare my lower back?

A. To use a belt or not? It's a question that seems to keep popping up! In order to get you a solid scientific answer on this one, we took a look at a research study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. This study was designed to see if the lower back (erector spinae) muscles were put under more stress while squatting with a weightlifting belt, or without. Now, you'd probably think that while wearing a weightlifting belt there'd be less stress on the lower back. Actually, the opposite was shown. Yes, that's correct! The results from this study show that the lumbar region (lower back) of the erector spinae muscle group was put under significantly more stress while subjects were wearing weightlifting belts.2 Since it's commonly thought that a weightlifting belt would offer more support to the lower back, these results are quite shocking!

The researchers came up with this possible explanation: If a belt is tightly buckled around the waist, it can put the erector spinae muscle group under a lot of tension even before you start a lift. Now, of course, the lower back muscles will be put under a considerable amount of tension once flexion of the spine occurs during the squat. But since the lower back muscles have been preloaded with tension from a weightlifting belt, squatting with a belt actually puts the lower back under more stress than when a belt isn't used. The extra tension placed on the lower back by using a weightlifting belt could lead to muscle overexertion, strain, and quite possibly, a serious injury. So be cautious. Our advice is to only use a weightlifting belt when lifting at or near your 1-rep max.

 

Q. Are there any new bodybuilding DVDs out there that are any good? It gets pretty boring when almost every available DVD shows how a guy trains and what he eats for eight meals a day. I'm tired of it!

A. Rumor has it that there's a new, ultra-exclusive series of bodybuilding DVDs that will be available at GNC in April. IFBB superstars and Team MuscleTech athletes Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, Johnnie Jackson, Chris Cormier, King Kamali, Mat Duvall, Jeramy Freeman and Branch Warren all collaborated on this effort, along with training legend Charles Glass and action-movie actor Christian Boeving. The first DVD in the trilogy is called "Mission of Massive Proportions," and it deals with how to build hardcore mass. The sequel is called "Only the Strong Survive" and it focuses on how to build jaw-dropping strength. The third installment is called "Secrets of the Pros" and it involves a series of roundtable discussions in which the pros divulge the secrets to their success. These three DVDs showcase everything you've ever wanted to know about bodybuilding! Not only that, we have it on good authority that these DVDs are visually spectacular with tons of added features, including hardcore training footage of the pros and various still-shot galleries.

            This is a trilogy that must be seen to be believed and it's likely going to turn the whole bodybuilding industry on its ear. With each purchase of a four-pound Nitro-Tech, or seven-pound Cell-Tech, or 200-capsule Pump-Tech, you'll receive one of three DVDs free of charge. So don't get left out in the cold when they come out. These DVDs are sure to become collectors' items... fast!

 

References

1. Esmarck B., et al. (2001). J Physiol, 535(Pt 1):301.

2. Bauer, J., et al. (1999). J Strength Cond Res,13(4):384.