After Forced Inactivity Muscle Build-Up Quickly?

[THAIPHUKET]

My leg muscle are much atrophied after a period of inactivity, getting up is a problem.

Years ago I had same problem, combination of daily physiotherapy plus steroid injections did wonders.

Can be done in Thailand too? Steroids only via doctor?

[Prajak]

I have the same problems now due to a bad hip. I will take a hip replacement later this year. But I still keep my upper body muscles fit with dumbbells. Do you really need steroids ? I think, but I am not a doctor, that muscle tissue can recover by doing exercise and you do not need machines for that. Go to a fitness parlour with qualified staff and let them guide you and do it slowly...... You will see that the muscles will grow slowly without problems. Oh, I do not know your age. I am 64 and will start the exercises after the operation. I will never become like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his young years but do I want that ? No. Good luck !

Edited February 3, 2011 by Prajak

[jsflynn603]

Sure it can be done, if you can find a doctor here who is aware that it's an option (possibly a good one for you) and who can get past the "anabolic steroids" are a class of "illegal drugs." I'd suggest that you look for an orthopedic specialist, and go one by one until you find one who is receptive. A phyziatrist might be a good option if you can find one, they are much like orthopedic surgeons who prefer not to jump to surgery instantly (or that's my opinion of them) some are pretty forward thinking.

Readers may be confused as steroid injections to places such as the elbow (as in tennis elbow) are catabolic steroids, and these can (if used too much) lead TO muscular atrophy.

What you did in the past were injections of anabolic steroids, which are the same class that weight lifters use (and often abuse) to "bulk up."

If you remember the physiotherapy and if it was just physical therapy and not, for instance, TENS stimulation, you will probably get the same recovery, though a bit delayed without the help of the anabolics. The bottom line is simple, do an exercise that tells the muscles involved that it's expected to do more (work to failure) and the muscle will increase its strength. For you though remember that there are lots of muscles involved and therefore a physical therapist in concert with a doctor can give you the best treatment.

For instance if you go to a gym and do leg muscles and some of the muscles are more atrophied than the others in that leg you need to perform exercises that address that for if you don't, you might continue to have one side of your leg stronger than the other side, as both increase in strength. This can lead to a pulling on the patella (kneecap) such that the patella starts to ride a bit "out of it's groove," and this can lead to patella-femoral disorder, so if you can seek expert treatment advice, so that you don't regain strength but create other issues.

[THAIPHUKET]

Helpful, you seem to know a lot about it. Is it true in order for the muscle to grow the stress applied should cause the muscle fibre to slightly rupture?

Why is it the muscle strength seems not to be related to muscle quantity, within limits?

We are seeing to many slim people here with arm so thin that they should not be able to carry much and yet they can move mountains.

[jsflynn603]

Helpful, you seem to know a lot about it. Is it true in order for the muscle to grow the stress applied should cause the muscle fibre to slightly rupture?

Why is it the muscle strength seems not to be related to muscle quantity, within limits?

We are seeing to many slim people here with arm so thin that they should not be able to carry much and yet they can move mountains.

Sorry, but I'm not up to snuff on microbiology of muscles. Contraction of muscles if I remember was more like a fiber ratcheting within another fiber, a sort of step-wise approach to contracting a muscle. If, at some point some of the "ratchet points" give, that probably signals the brain that the body's limit has been reached. If so, the signal might be more than a mere "careful, you're doing all you can," as the body might respond to the end point as an indication that more strength is going to be needed to perform life activities. Perhaps the "slightly rupture" is analogous to the ratchet point slippage? Perhaps we might find someone who will respond who really knows--any PT people or Ortho folk around?

I too have noticed the phenomena that you mention. Interestingly one would think that body fat % for Asians would be lower than for Caucasians, but this does not appear to be the case. I suspect that the ones that can "move mountains" simply are appropriately muscled for their frames, and who also, due to their high intensity work, maintain a very low body fat percentage.

Muscle strength is related to muscle quantity, but there is a lot more including the ratio of slow twitch (speed) versus fast twitch fibers (endurance) as well as things like attachment points. The trick for any athlete is to be lucky enough to have the best ratio for "that" sport. I long distance runner's needs are quite different than a sprinter's.

Structural differences matter too, body builders with the biceps attached at different points appear more or less muscular for the actual quantity of muscle. If your biceps are attached at shorter or longer points (I think shorter gives more pronounced biceps look) your ability to "look muscular" will be enhanced or limited.

[FBN]

Clearly the reason for your "forced incativity" plays a major part here. If it was due to a systemic illness, stay away from steroids etc as your liver, kidney or even gastro-intestinal system may have been compromised.

Start with a correct diet and physio; it is amazing how quickly muscles repond. Unless, of course, there is a remaining metabolic reason..