Written by MuscleTech Research & Development
30 October 2006
Bodybuilding Q&A

 

Q. Are partial reps a legitimate training technique, or are they just a waste of time?

A. Yes, partial reps are a valid training technique that can be used in your training program to help increase strength, and no, they're not a waste of time! This was recently shown in a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. The specific purpose of this 10-week study was to compare the effectiveness of training with a partial range of motion versus training with a full range of motion with regard to the development of maximal strength. All subjects followed the exact same workout twice a week for the duration of the study.

            The bench press was the exercise used for testing; therefore, each of the three subject groups followed a different protocol with regard to this exercise. The first group trained with three full-range-of-motion sets on the bench press. The second group trained with three partial-range-of-motion sets on the bench press. The third group trained with sets using a combination of partial and full ranges of motion. A partial rep basically consisted of the final two to five inches of the bench press lift.

            All subjects were tested on the bench press at the start and end of the study using a full range of motion for a 1-rep max and all subject groups showed statistically significant increases in strength. Yet, there were no significant differences seen between the subject groups.[1]

            Based on these results, partial reps can be used as an effective training technique to help increase maximum bench press strength. Try including them in your workouts every few weeks to add more variety to your training and to help break through strength plateaus.

 

Q. I started using Pump-Tech and I'm really happy with the results. The pumps and vascularity I've been getting are amazing! But how does the time-release mechanism in Pump-Tech actually work?

A. Good question. To explain this one, we're going to have to get a little scientific here, but heck, this is a research report, so here we go! Pump-Tech's advanced time-release technology utilizes a caplet matrix system in which key compounds commonly found in the pharmaceutical industry are uniformly incorporated at a specified ratio throughout the entire caplet. This technology provides a diffusion-limiting matrix so the rate of diffusion of the entire matrix is significantly slowed. Furthermore, controlling the relative concentrations of the compounds used in the matrix system regulates the rate at which active ingredients are able to release from the inner caplet core.

            Upon contact with water, the outer surfaces of the Pump-TechTM caplets form a gel layer. Active ingredients are then released from the core and out of the gel layer. Also, there's a compound in the coating of the Pump-Tech caplets to control the rate of disintegration. Ultimately, this combined action regulates the overall dissolution rate of the Pump-Tech caplets, thereby ensuring an incremental release of the active ingredients over a specified time. This is exactly the reason why your pumps can last for hours after taking Pump-Tech.

            Hopefully, this explanation gives you a better understanding of exactly how

Pump-Tech's cutting-edge time-release mechanism actually works.

 

Q. Is there any real benefit to drinking oxygenated water as opposed to regular bottled water?

A. Our fridge definitely isn't stocked with oxygenated water, so as far as we're concerned, it has no benefit over regular bottled water. There's also a study to support this notion. Researchers from the Department of Exercise and Sport Science and the Department of Biology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse conducted a study comparing the effects of oxygenated water and bottled water on exercise capacity and recovery from exercise. The results of the study found that the consumption of oxygenated water had no effect on heart rate, blood pressure, or blood lactate levels. The researchers concluded that the consumption of oxygenated water has no effect on exercise capacity or recovery from exercise.[2] Your best bet is to save your money and stick with regular ol' bottled water because oxygenated water is a scam!

 

References

1. Massey, C., et al. (2004). J Strength Cond Res, 18(3):518.

2. Willmert, N., et al. (2002). JEPonline, 5(4):16

 

The Pump-TechTM trademark is owned by its trademark owner and is used with permission. The Pump-Tech formula is patent-pending.