In our Human Maximum Performance Program (HMP), we work one-on-one with top professional athletes. HMP involves intense analysis of an athlete’s genetics, Somatotype, potential, muscle mass-to-body fat ratios, nutrition profile, and many other factors related to to sports performance.

Following our work with the United States Olympic Bobsled Team, Mr. Universe, the Arnold Schwarznegger Classic, and the World Powerflifting Federation, a newspaper stated “The Human Maximum Performance Program takes athletes apart cell by cell and puts them back together to become Robocops.”

The HMP Program is quite successful because it addresses the biochemistry and genetics of an athlete, and strives to focus on, and perfect, an athlete’s hidden talents. Sometimes we have to tell parents that their budding child-athlete will probably never become world class due to their Somatotype and genetics. A Woody Allen-stick-thin-body will never win against an Arnold-body in size and muscle definition. A large Mesomorph will never become a world class long-distance runner against an Ethiopian Ectomorph, for the same reason that a cheetah can outrun a turtle.

In this review, we will address some of the most common issues related to achieving Human Maximum Performance.

I am frequently asked if sex improves or impairs sports performance (particularly as it relates to the Superbowl).

Does having sex before sports events improve or impair sports performance?

The scientific fact is that having sex prior to sports events improves sports performance.

The reason is testosterone.

Up to 4 hours after having sex, sports performance is improved: strength improves and Testosterone is elevated (on average) by 20 percent.

Testosterone before sex is measured at 325 ng/mg (nanograms per milligram) and after sex 462 ng/mg. This is significant enough to make a difference in sports performance.

The tactic of refraining from sex prior to athletic events is totally ineffective. Researchers found that abstaining from ejaculation for six days had no impact on serum testosterone levels.

But by the eighth day of abstinence, researchers found that testosterone declined (on day 8) from the negative feedback suppression of Leutinizing Hormone (LH) secretion. Leutinizing Hormone (LH) is essential for testosterone production, and LH determines free testosterone levels. Suppression of LH decreases serum testosterone levels, returning them to baseline.

Studies of males and testosterone documented that “The frequency of sexual activity and ejaculation impacted testosterone levels”.

Testosterone and natural (not synthetic) Growth Hormone (GH) are largly responsible for sports performance and appropriate levels of physical-aggression.

In sports, physical-aggression does not relate to violent behavior (as in steroid-rage), but relates to the necessary aggressive mind and body status required to win an athletic event.

In the Human Maximum Performance program, we examine serum testosterone and Growth Hormone (GH) levels. If an athlete does not have sufficient testosterone and GH levels, they are going to play poorly. All highly ranked athletes possess sufficient testosterone and GH levels.

When I see a professional athlete whose testosterone or GH levels are low, I know we have a hormonal issue, which always results in reduced sports performance. In said cases, we immediately act to increase both testosterone and GH. This methodology involves stimulating the hypothalamus/pituitary axis via L-Arginine dosing at 10 grams (10,000 elemental mg) with a Blind Amino Acid Rider, which produces natural testosterone and GH. Synthetic testosterone and rhGH are contraindicated.

Growth Hormone (GH) is a peptide hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary. In skeletal muscle, GH promotes a positive protein balance by increasing protein synthesis and inhibiting protein breakdown. GH also increases adipose fat-burning in fat cells. GH dramatically decreases lipogenesis (fat-storage) with a concomitant increase in muscle mass indicating a powerful nutrient partitioning effect (Patent held by Allen, Ann de Wees).

In skeletal muscle, testosterone increases protein balance by increasing protein synthesis. Testosterone increases lean muscle mass and reduces adipose tissue fat. In adipose tissue, testosterone inhibits lipid uptake and Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) activity, and stimulates adipose tissue fat-burning by increasing the number of lipolytic Beta-Adrenergic receptors.

As age-related-testosterone-declines (ARTD) occur in the male athlete, sports performance also declines, lean muscle mass declines, sexual performance declines, and body fat increases.

GH is a banned substance under International Doping Control Regulations, while naturally produced pituitary-GH is completely legal. The only legal form of GH in athletes is that which is produced by the pituitary gland in response to ingesting large amounts of the amino acid L-Arginine. This pulsatile form of GH is completely natural and does not possess any of the negative side effects related to synthetic GH.

The key factor in the natural generation of GH is to provide L-Arginine with a Blind Amino Acid Rider, which allows Arginine to cross the Blood-Brain Barrier.

The biochemical complexities of generating GH and testosterone in humans are based on the GH Production System (GHPS) in the pituitary gland. L-Arginine cannot cross the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) without a Blind Amino Acid Rider, as L-Arginine was identified as a Blind Amino Acid in 1983, and therefore incapable of crossing the BBB to elicit a GH response without a Rider.

The Johansson et al. clinical trials (1995) proved that GH could cross the BBB. In a cross-over, placebo-controlled, 9-month treatment study, Burman et al. (1996) confirmed the previous findings that GH can cross the Blod-Brain Barrier (BBB). If L-Arginine does not cross the BBB via a Blind Amino Acid Rider, no GH is produced.

The International Federation of Sports Medicine and the International Olympic Committee and Medical Commission state that “GH can allow an athlete to undergo harder training without negative changes by normalizing levels of monoamine metabolites and neuropeptides.” They also concluded that “GH can prevent psychological disruptions which could lead to negative impacts on concentration and motivation.”

Lack of motivation in athletes is a well recognized objective to success, and elevation or reinstation of GH levels results in significant increase in positive athletic output and attitude. Athletes that experience lack of confidence and slumps in performance typically suffer from low GH levels.

Neither Lysine, Ornithine, or Citrulline may be used in an L-Arginine formula capable of crossing the BBB to elicit a GH/Testosterone response. Though these ingredients are typically seen in L-Arginine formulas, they represent lack of knowledge in the field of L-Arginine biochemistry.

Once appropriate GH and testosterone levels are reached, the athlete can compete at world-class levels. This is of particular importance in athletes over age 25, as GH levels begin their decline at age 23, and accelerate as aging progresses. This decline causes dramatic reductions in sports performance, lean muscle mass, and increased body fat.

L-Arginine doses below 10,000 mg are completely ineffectual in generating Growth Hormone (GH). The system complexity of designing L-Arginine formulas that actually cross the BBB requires intricate knowledge of L-Arginine biochemistry and Blind Amino Acid Riders, as well as specific dose-timing properties of L-Arginine.

Without sufficient testosterone and GH, an athleted is doomed to failure.

I am answering this question specifically, because I get asked it so frequently. Does Yohimbe and/or Yohimbe Bark improve sports performance by increasing testosterone? The answer is a resounding NO.

When I appeared on the Tampa Bay Bucs Official Radio Show, WDAE The Sports Animal, in a LIVE 4-hour special, an athlete called in and asked me if Yohimbe would increase his testosterone levels. My answer was quite blunt, probably too blunt and mildly humerous, as that line was replayed 100 times over during the course of one year.

I stated that he should indeed use Yohimbe if he wanted his testicles to shrink up to the size of walnuts. Upon reflection, a milder answer would have served the moment.

The fact is that products, like Yohimbe, trigger the body to reduce the production of natural testosterone, resulting in very negative hormonal feedback-loop, and reduced sports performance.

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Federation of Sports Medicine:

“Yohimbe Bark does not have any convincing scientific basis for performance enhancement in men . . Some products have been tainted with banned substances that will give a positive drug test; others are simply bogus and even harmful.”

According to the Journal of Andrology, Vol 8, Issue 4, pg 469-476, 2006:

Yohimbe decreases male fertility. The effects of Yohimbe were studies and the following parameters were evaluated: (i) reproductive organ weight, (ii) motility and count of sperm, (iii) study on rate of pregnancy and mean implants, (iv) spermatozoa morphology, (v) cytology of the testes chromosomes, and (vi) biochemical study on estimation of proteins, RNA, DNA, malondialdehyde, nonprotein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) and hormones. Results: Yohimbe treatment caused decreased male fertility. These results are confirmed by our data on spermatozoa abnormalities and chromosomal aberrations. The data on biochemical parameters showed increase of malondialdehyde and depletion of NP-SH, proteins, RNA and DNA in the testicular cells. Our results elucidated the role of free radical species in cytological and reproductive changes, possibly, under the influence of yohimbine (principal constituent of Yohimbe).

According to the Drug Review (2009): Yohimbe should not be used in the presence of renal or hepatic disease. Yohimbe may not be used by pregnant or nursing women. Side effects include severe hypotension, hypertension, abdominal distress, and weakness. Toxicity: Yohimbe can cause central nervous system stimulation and paralysis, and may precipitate psychosis in predisposed individuals, including manic symptoms. Yohimbe can cause progressive renal failure, and lupus-like syndrome.

According to Consumer Reports:

CONSUMER REPORTS NAMES YOHIMBE IN TOP 12 DANGEROUS DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

12 Dangerous Dietary Supplements Named by Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports says they have found 12 dietary supplements that are too dangerous to be on the market according to government warnings, adverse-event reports, and top experts. These "dirty dozen" unsafe supplements include Yohimbe and Yohimbe Bark, which is linked to heart and respitory problems in humans.

High insulin levels are the enemy of any athlete. Because testosterone levels are minimized in the presence of elevated insulin levels, serum insulin must be kept in check.

The idea that insulin levels should be stimulated to produce increases in muscle mass is completely wrong.

Ask any of our Human Maximum Performance athletes, who weigh 250 pounds with 6 percent body fat, and our female HMP Powerlifters who squat 650 pounds – high insulin levels do not increase muscle mass or sports performance.

In terms of sports protein drinks, the biggest metabolic mistake an athlete can make is consuming insulinogenic protein drinks. Insulin-stimulating protein drinks disrupt insulin levels. Only Low Glycemic protein drinks keep insulin levels at an appropriate level.

The second biggest mistake athletes make is over-dosing on protein. Even a 350-pound Powerlifter can only tolerate 30 grams of protein ingested at one time (within a 2-4 hour period). It does not matter what an athlete weights, the upper limit of ingested protein is still 30 elemental grams.

After 3 days of a high-protein or ketogenic diet, higher plasma Cortisol levels are evidenced. This is the case both before and after exercise in comparison to a control-mixed diet.

Over-elevation of Cortisol, a neurohormone, is a very bad idea in normal persons and athletes. Cortisol should be downregulated in athletes.

Ingesting protein alone and ingesting protein without Low Glycemic carbohydrates increases Cortisol. This reaction is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is under control of centers sensing blood glucose levels.

Unless a protein supplement is Certified as Low Glycemic (requiring Board Approved Human In Vivo Clinical Trials), it should be avoided by athletes, diabetics, and persons seeking to reduce body fat.

The stimulatory effect of high glycemic meals, beverages, and protein drinks on Cortisol secretion is well documented in the scientific literature, and exposes the negative consequences of unplanned glycemic excursions.

Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone. The synthesis of cortisol in the adrenal gland is stimulated by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. The highest levels of Cortisol in humans occurs in early morning, with lowest levels in the evening and 2-3 hours following the onset of the sleep cycle.

The adrenals release adrenalin (epinephrine) and cortisol, two hormones that in turn initiate the well-known “flight or fight” response. The widespread muscle pain of fibromyalgia is triggered by the constant outpouring of adrenalin on the muscles, triggered by “flight or flight” response. Part of the stress response includes racing thoughts, triggered by cortisol which, on a long term basis, actually blocks short term memory.

Cortisol also inhibits the secretion of corticotropin-releasing-hormone (CHR), resulting in feedback inhibition of ACTH. This normal feedback system may break down when humans or animals are exposed to chronic stress.

Following any form of stress, including percieved stress, such as hostility in the home and/or arguments between family members or at work, Cortisol acts to restore homeostasis. This becomes problematic as it acts as a physiological antagonist, increasing blood glucose concentrations, resulting in adipose tissue fat-storage (weight gain) and increased glycogen formation in the liver.

Chronic stress is experienced by a large percent of the American population, due to overwork, lack of sleep, and normal everyday life. Chronic stress causes prolonged Cortisol secretion, which results in:

Elevated Cortisol is triggered by stress and/or ingestion of specific foods and protein drinks, which results in:

Cortisol response to perceived stress has become more relevant in society as the vast majority of people experience stress at a higher level than ten years ago. This is a personal issue and can be dealt with by reducing stressors, sleeping 8-10 (8 for men, 10 for most women) hours per night, exercise, healthy eating, and therapy when appropriate.

Cortisol response to feeding is dependent on the timing and composition of a meal or protein drink. Therefore, all protein drinks and meals should consist of:

Protein without Low Glycemic carbohydrates causes elevation of insulin and fat-storage in adipose tissue fat cells. Protein drinks that do not contain any carbohydrates or calories are contraindicated.

In terms of timing, protein drinks should not be consumed near bedtime, as this causes lowered Delta-stimulated GH and testosterone production.

Sex & Sports Performance:
Having sex prior to sports events improves sports performance. Avoiding sex prior to sports events does not increase testosterone.

First rule in sports:
Testosterone and GH levels must be stimulated during the sleep cycle and during non-aerobic exercise to achieve sports performance in athletes over age 23.

Protein drinks:
Protein must be limited to 30 g or less of elemental protein (at one time). Protein meals or drinks must contain Low Glycemic carbs. Protein drinks blunt Testosterone and GH hormonal actions when ingested during exercise or sleep. Protein drinks should be designed to downregulate Cortisol.

Yohimbe:
Yohimbe is considered dangerous and should be avoided. It does not contribute to sports performance. Yohimbe reduces fertility.

Negative Insulin Impact:
Elevated insulin levels do not stimulate lean muscle mass. Insulin levels should never be over-elevated in athletes, diabetics, or persons who desire to lose body fat.

Cortisol:
Stimulation and activation of Cortisol is to be avoided.

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