Specifically, the muscle pump is that sensation of turgidity
that is felt during physical exercise and which is determined by a greater
presence of blood within the muscle tissues, both induced by the endogenous
release of nitric oxide and by simple motor activity, as best we'll see later,
but better yet both together. L ' nitric oxide , in reality nitrogen monoxide
is the real name, is a gas that our body produces its own when they manifest
certain of too high blood pressure conditions , given that holds property
vessel dilatant, but it can also be stiulmated synthesis with the intake of
specific nutrients, called precursors.
Attention because when we talk about precursors we are
referring to natural compounds such as amino acids or plant extracts , so they
are not drugs, a distinction that must be made a priori since in the supplement
market there are many products that are passed off as such but even in reality
they are not and are part of doping, obviously illegal and harmful to health.
Muscle pumping: what concrete effects are possible?
Since the time of the very famous Arnold, there has been
discussions on the real importance and ability of pumping to determine concrete
results in the gym, especially in terms of strength and increase in
hypertrophic and hyperplastic muscle mass. For some, the pump is only a
transitory effect that does not lead to any concrete result other than a mere
psychic support due to the greater size reached with the pump and which
increases self-confidence and satisfaction during training. . Today, decades
later, the science that deals with these things has made it clear that the pump
effect represents a very valuable aid for the growth and maintenance of
muscles, as well as for physical strength.The connection that exists between
pumping and improvement of prowess and consequent results, is soon said in a
few, simple and clear words. If a strategy is implemented to determine the
maximum entry and permanence of blood within the muscle tissue, the following effects
will be had:
• increased
swelling of the muscles and that pleasant sensation of turgidity that body
builders like so much, both for a matter of sensations and for a speech about
the size of the muscle groups that are training;
• increase
in nutritional values within the musculature with a consequent incentive for
both energy and protein synthesis.
Higher levels of energy and plastic substrates in the
muscles will result in better performance both in terms of training intensity
and in terms of growth and maintenance possibilities, the latter aspect will
also be more or less promoted depending on the diet. you follow.
Strategies for activating and maintaining the muscle pump
As mentioned above, there are two way to maximize muscle
pumping, so let's talk about the type of training you do and the supplements
you take. In terms of physical exercise, the best solution to determine the
maximum pumping is to start with very heavy weight lifting activities with high
load and low number of repetitions, and then go to decrease the loads by
progressively increasing the number of repetitions., in a way that we could
call "inverted pyramid". In this way, in addition to causing a high
entry of blood into the muscles, it will also obtain an effect of maintaining
its presence within the tissues, in such a way as to make the most of the
increased nutritional levels of glucose and amino acids. Regarding this type of
strategy, however, it must be said that each of us responds differently to the
stimuli induced by physical activities, so experience has taught us that the
best solution, even in this case, will be the one that you can "sew"
on yourself. testing different solutions , only in this way will you be able to
reach the maximum potential result. As for insteadthe supplementary supports
that help the muscle pump, they are above all precursors of nitric oxide , but
we must remember that even the volumizers for hydration can play an interesting
role, at least in terms of muscle size.
What are the best supplements for pumping?
As we said above, there are many compounds that are
precursors, both direct and indirect, of nitric oxide , this gas which, thanks
to its vasodilating properties, allows more blood to enter the muscle tissues,
resulting in an even higher and persistent pump. Although there are many
nutrients that stimulate the release of nitric oxide, it is always arginine- based supplements that are
considered the best, this is because the enzymes responsible for the synthesis
of the pumping compound use it as a basic substrate , these enzymes are called
NOS nitric oxide synthetase. Then there are other noteworthy nutrients
regarding the release of nitric oxide, let's see them together:
• citrulline
and agmatine , two amino acids that intervene on the levels of arginine in the
blood and not directly on the processes that induce the rise of nitric oxide,
these compounds are therefore called indirect precursors;
• beta
alanine , taurine , norvaline and betaine (trimethylglycine) , these are three
amino acids and a plant extract that also act on the synthesis of this dilating
vessel gas, according to mechanisms that are still being studied today.
A micronutrient must then be taken into consideration which
is very interesting in relation to the haematic duration of nitric oxide and
therefore of the greater pumping, we are talking about vitamin C. Since the
half-life of nitric oxide is very very short, we are talking about 5 seconds.
The intake of vitamin C is desirable as it would seem to prolong it by
mediating a greater work of nitric oxide synthetase which, as mentioned above,
is the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of the gas in question. Another
positive effect of vitamin C should also be considered, let's talk about its
antioxidant activity, because it is true that nitric oxide helps pumping,
performance and growth, but it is also true that it acts with a similar
oxidative action to that of free radicals, therefore, it is reasonable to think
of combining its precursors with compounds, such as vitamin C, which can counteract
this negative effect for the body.
Volumizing supplements and muscle pumping
In addition to nitric oxide precursors, there is also
another category of products that can be used to maximize the size of muscle
groups during training, we are talking about all those nutrients that act by
catalyzing the entry of water into muscle cells in in such a way as to increase
its size. Although it is a true pumping referred to the greater presence of
blood in the muscles, the effect is practically the same in terms of physical
appearance, but the ergogenic action that the greater amount of water exerts in
nutritional exchanges must also be considered. within the musculature. Among
these compounds the best are undoubtedly creatine , glutamineand glycerol ,
nutrients that to develop the volumizing action to the maximum must be taken
with plenty of water and not necessarily before the workout, in the sense that
it will be sufficient to take them during the day also because they need
several days of storage to function well .
How to use supplements for pumping?
Regardless of the nutrient you decide to use , nitric oxide
precursors should be taken before training, on the days you train, and whenever
you want during the day when you rest. We remind you that it is a good idea,
given the short haematic duration of nitric oxide, to use, even intra-workout,
powdered precursors dissolved in water so that you can continue to take them
throughout the workout, determining the maximum pump and therefore of the
result. Many argue that these supplements should only be used pre-workout and
only on the days when you go to the gym, but this theory is wrong. as, for
example, arginine, to act at its maximum potential must be stored in the body,
also to better determine other effects attributable to it such as the synthesis
of GH and the immunostimulating action.
Side effects of nitric oxide precursors
Thanks to the vessel dilating action, compounds such as
arginine and citrulline, are also very suitable for improving male libido. At
this juncture, the greater vessel dilation will result in a better filling of
the corpora cavernosa of the penis which in turn will result in a more vigorous
erection. It is understood that in this case the advice of your specialist
doctor will be required to use the nitric oxide precursor supplements . Let's
summarize briefly about pumping over muscle pumping:
• improves
physical prowess thanks to improved nutritional levels in the muscles;
• it also
acts on a psychological level in terms of satisfaction and self-esteem in the
athlete;
• you can
induce it with certain types of workouts or by taking supplements;
• nitric
oxide precursors facilitate this;
• it is
also useful as a sexual stamina support.