Iron Culture

In this Iron Culture/Sports Nutrition Association/Sigma Nutrition Radio crossover episode, host Eric Helms is joined by co-host Danny Lennon and guest Alex Thomas. Alex is the president of the Sports Nutrition Association who started this association years ago when he was rudely awakened to the fact that he couldn’t provide nutrition advice in his personal training clinic, despite having done so for years, having an RD on staff, and getting a degree in exercise science and nutrition. This prompted him to do a deep dive into scope of practice, insurance, legal requirements to provide nutrition coaching, and eventually to realise just how large of a gap there is in the nutrition coaching industry. Becoming aware of how common coach negligence leading to poorer consumer health is, spurred him to create the Sports Nutrition Association. Now SNA seeks to elevate the profession of nutrition coaching and protect the public. In this episode we navigate the confusing world of scope of practice, both legally and from a liability perspective, and why it’s not only an important box ticking exercise, but a fundamental part of serving your clients.

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction to a podcast that needs a longer name and title

01:32 What is the Sports Nutrition Association?

06:15 Protected titles, scope of practice, and insurance

22:30 The importance of scope of practice and advice for practitioners

38:58 Trends and big claims in the space, risk/reward and consequences

51:36 Areas where practitioners should focus on and what to do going forward

1:00:06 The career pyramid for nutritionists

1:02:01 Closing out and where to find out more about the SNA

Website https://sportsnutritionassociation.com/

Instagram @sportsnutritionassociation https://www.instagram.com/sportsnutritionassociation/

Sigma Nutrition Radio https://sigmanutrition.com/podcast-welcome/

In this Iron Culture/Sports Nutrition Association/Sigma Nutrition Radio crossover episode, host Eric Trexler is joined by co-host Danny Lennon and guest Dr. Shawn Arent. Dr. Arent is a professor and department chair at the University of South Carolina with a wealth of knowledge and research experience pertaining to nutritional strategies and supplements purported to support brain health and function. In this meeting of the minds, Eric, Danny, and Dr. Arent discuss the brain-related effects of carbohydrate, amino acids, caffeine (and caffeine-related substances), theanine, nicotine, fish oil, creatine, and much more. If you’re interested in preserving the health and function of your brain, listening to this episode is certainly a smart decision.

00:00 Introduction to another crossover episode and Dr Shawn Arent

03:20 Defining cognitive performance and function

07:48 The acute effects of carbohydrates and caffeine on fatigue

13:01 Carbohydrate mouth rinsing and glycogen depletion (and are bodybuilders athletes?)

26:15 The (non-linear) glycogen utilisation response to exercise

29:53 The role of protein (EAAs and BCAAs) on cognitive function 

Daivs 1999 Effects of branched-chain amino acids and carbohydrate on fatigue during intermittent, high-intensity running https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10452228 

36:06 Caffeine dose-response relationship on cognition

40:50 Caffeine timing and dosing strategies

51:38 Optimisation and thinking outside the box to minimise the effects of caffeine on sleep

55:18 Other (interesting) supplements with less evidence

1:01:28 Nicotine and sports culture

1:08:52 Supplementation for brain health and recommendations/protocols for TBIs

1:21:22 Closing out with some final take homes

In this crossover episode of Iron Culture and MASS Office Hours, Dr. Trexler is joined by special guest Josh Pelland, a coach for Data Driven and a PhD candidate at Florida Atlantic University, to discuss Pelland's recent meta-analysis which investigates the effects of training volume and frequency on hypertrophy and strength outcomes. These data have created a lot of stir in the evidence based community as very high volumes seem to be associated with hypertrophy without a definitive plateau. But as you can expect, there’s much more to the story. The analysis synthesizes data from numerous studies and quantifies dose-response relationships by which higher training volumes and/or frequencies may lead to greater strength and muscle gains in response to resistance training. In a thorough discussion of the paper, Pelland discusses nuances, such as the point of diminishing returns where further volume or frequency may yield less significant gains, and highlights how individual factors like training experience and muscle group-specific responses affect outcomes. Practical recommendations include tailoring volume to individual needs, utilizing periodization and volume cycling to maximize adaptations, and addressing common pitfalls such as overtraining. Further, in this live episode audience questions drive deeper exploration into the practical implications of the findings and strategies for optimizing training programs based on current evidence.

If you liked this crossover, remember the MASS crew goes live for Office Hours every Wednesday night at 7pm eastern time. Be sure to join them for a future episode!

0:00 Introduction to another official crossover episode 

MASS Office Hours Episode 58 (Is More Volume Always Better?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HErS8Hw12k 

02:00 Getting to know Josh Pelland  

07:35 An overview of Josh’s new preprint

Pelland 2024 The Resistance Training Dose-Response: Meta-Regressions Exploring the Effects of Weekly Volume and Frequency on Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength Gain https://sportrxiv.org/index.php/server/preprint/view/460

Data Driven Strength Podcast - Volume and Hypertrophy: New Science Explained | S2E1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKRAVrf-798&t=0s

Data Driven Strength Podcast - Frequency and Hypertrophy: New Science Explained | S2E2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rxOj92Q4p8 

14:01 The search strategy and volume/frequency quantification method comparison

25:43 Statistical models 

30:51 Volume results

39:32 Volume efficiency tiers 

1:08:47 Frequency results 

1:16:43 Q&A Question 1: How was the volume of different exercises quantified?

1:18:36 Question 2: Disconnect between theoretical vs practical optimum?

1:25:00 Question 3: How were different set structures, intensification techniques, and proximity-to-failure accounted for?

1:28:55 Question 4: Recommendations for 6x/week Full Body Powerbuilding training?

1:30:53 Question 5: The potential effects of different partials and ranges of motion? 

1:34:45 Question 6: Did the studies measure both hypertrophy and strength outcomes?

1:36:10 Question 7: Strength training recommendations for sprint cyclers?

1:39:03 Question 8: Upper vs lower body set volume tolerance?

1:40:45 Question 9: Moderator analyses on the impact of training status?

1:42:50 Question 10: How do you know if you are performing too much volume?

1:46:36 Wrapping up and where to find Josh

Data Driven Strength YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@datadrivenstrength 

Instagram @josh.datadrivenstrength https://www.instagram.com/josh.datadrivenstrength/?hl=en 

There is a great deal of fitness content about strategically modifying your diet or changing your physique. Many of these strategies may appear to be simple on paper, but they are inseparable from the complexity of human perception and emotion. Whether we like it or not, diet or physique manipulation inherently interact with concepts relating to one’s confidence, body image, self-esteem, and relationship with food. Further, many fitness coaches and clients mistakenly believe that poor body image or self-esteem are improved by simply changing one’s body. A growing area of interest in the fitness space aims to directly address and improve these outcomes by focusing on beliefs and behaviors in the absence of physique manipulation. In this crossover episode with Sigma Nutrition Radio and the Sports Nutrition Association, Eric Trexler and Danny Lennon are joined by Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro to take an evidence-based and practical look at the ways diet or physique modifications interact with confidence, body image, and self-worth.

00:00 Welcome to another crossover episode (passively) dominated by Iron Culture

02:09 Defining body image and self-esteem

07:49 Relationship with food and weight stigma

21:22 Are your behaviours and beliefs really sustainable?

32:13 Different approaches to safe weight modification

39:19 Screening for risk factors and contraindications

47:20 Scope of practice and individuals who fall into the gaps

53:20 Interventions and approaches for improving body image

 58:28 Closing out with some links

Sports Nutrition Association https://sportsnutritionassociation.com/

Sigma Nutrition https://sigmanutrition.com/

The Iron Culture universe is expanding! In this crossover episode the host of Sigma Nutrition Radio, Danny Lennon, joins Eric Helms to co-host! Dr. Cliff Harvey, who did his PhD on ketogenic diets at AUT, joins Danny and Eric to discuss the often conflicting research and anecdotes on the effect of carbohydrates on lifting performance, adaptations and body composition change. Eric, Danny and Cliff are all on the Sports Nutrition Association (SNA) advisory board - an organisation dedicated to supporting the profession of sports nutrition. The board is packed with nutrition experts with a ton of experience. This is the first of many crossover episodes to come where Iron Culture, Sigma Nutrition Radio, and the SNA combine forces to bring you the best practical, science-based nutrition content possible!

00:00 Danny? Entering the multiverse (Sigma Iron Culture Nutrition Radio Ultra Podcast Show)

02:00 An update on carbohydrates for resistance training performance

05:34 The spectrum of carbohydrate intake related to work demands and Cliff’s approach

15:13 The complexities of substrate utilisation and glycogen replenishment

Hokken 2021 Subcellular localization- and fibre type-dependent utilization of muscle glycogen during heavy resistance exercise in elite power and Olympic weightlifters https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32961628/ 

King 2022 The Ergogenic Effects of Acute Carbohydrate Feeding on Resistance Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35809162/

Naharudin 2019 Breakfast Omission Reduces Subsequent Resistance Exercise Performance https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30707135/ 

Naharudin 2020 Viscous placebo and carbohydrate breakfasts similarly decrease appetite and increase resistance exercise performance compared with a control breakfast in trained males https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32174286/ 

28:10 Intrasession carbohydrate intake and mouth rinsing 

King 2024 Isoenergetic pre-exercise meals varying in carbohydrate similarly affect resistance training volume performance compared to placebo https://sportrxiv.org/index.php/server/preprint/view/443/version/566

41:03 The placebo/nocebo effect related to food intake around training

53:30 Reconsidering nutrient timing and individualising coaching approaches

1:06:54 Goals, optimising approaches, and methodological considerations in the research

Vargas-Molina 2020 Effects of a ketogenic diet on body composition and strength in trained women https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32276630/ 

Paoli 2021 Effects of Two Months of Very Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet on Body Composition, Muscle Strength, Muscle Area, and Blood Parameters in Competitive Natural Body Builders https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33530512/

1:17:11 Individual approaches to ketogenic diets and does macronutrient distribution really matter?

Harvey 2019 Low-carbohydrate diets differing in carbohydrate restriction improve cardiometabolic and anthropometric markers in healthy adults: A randomised clinical trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30740270/

1:25:48 Considerations for a low carbohydrate/ketogenic approach and ketosis misunderstandings 

1:30:02 The take home and closing out

Weightlifting came before powerlifting, but did you know weightlifting wasn’t exactly the first barbell sport? Or rather, did you know that the first iteration of weightlifting was VERY different than what we see today in the Olympics? The history of weightlifting is fascinating, and in this episode of Iron Culture Drs Conor Heffernan and Cliff Harvey are back to share their experiences with, and the history of, All Around Lifting, the original barbell sport. With literally hundreds of potential lifts to compete in, All Around Lifters are barbell generalists rather than specialists, and both strong and versatile. Modern All Around meets are very similar to the original lifting competitions from the early 19th century before weightlifting centralised around the snatch, clean and jerk and clean and press (and eventually just the snatch and clean and jerk), and before modern strongman, powerlifting or CrossFit existed. While you may know Cliff Harvey as a nutrition researcher, he is also a former All Around world champion weightlifter and amateur historian. He shares his experience while Conor goes into the fascinating tale of how weightlifting began, and how modern All Around Lifting recaptures it.

00:00 Omar? And All Around lifting?

02:10 Welcoming back Drs. Conor Heffernan and Cliff Harvey and where everything lifting started

07:01 The format and how to prepare for All Around Lifting

15:11 The attraction of All Around Lifting

24:40 A deep dive into the history of All Around 

38:49 Specialisation vs generalisation and accessibility of All Around

55:05 ‘Evidence-based’ training and individualisation 

1:05:28 Cliff’s experience competing

1:15:10 Reframing your perspective and goals as you progress and age

1:20:35 Where to learn more about (and participate in) All Around Lifting and closing out

https://www.iawa.uk/

https://www.usawa.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@USAWAVideos

https://www.youtube.com/user/dinnie40

How do we know what we know? And do we know what we think we know? If your answer is “I don’t know,” then this episode is for you. In this classic-style episode, Omar and Helms sit down for a spirited chat on epistemology: the theory of knowledge, as it relates to hypertrophy. In the “evidence-based” world some people always claim to have things figured out entirely. In the case of hypertrophy, some people currently can explain with a “model” what must occur in training to produce hypertrophy, in a logically consistent narrative, based in true aspects of physiology. However, just because something is logically consistent and contains elements of truth, doesn’t necessarily make it entirely correct. So first, we should ask, when and why should models be used in scientific inquiry? How do models sit in relation to empirical studies? How does one check the veracity of a model? Is a “model” really a model if nothing was actually modelled? Can it be valid if it is contradicted by dozens of controlled trials? Most importantly, will we ever be ok with feeling uncomfortable and embracing our ignorance in the search of knowledge? Or, are we doomed to repeat the mistake of prematurely clinging to intellectually satisfying, logical, complete, yet factually incorrect answers whenever there are gaps in our understanding that makes us uncomfortable?

00:00 Do you know what you know?

04:56 Fitness content creators and models of hypertrophy

Refalo 2023 Influence of Resistance Training Proximity-to-Failure on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36334240/ 

Robinson 2024 Exploring the Dose-Response Relationship Between Estimated Resistance Training Proximity to Failure, Strength Gain, and Muscle Hypertrophy: A Series of Meta-Regressions  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38970765/

17:15 Studies in sport science without black and white results/answers and mathematical models

27:55 (Dis)confirming models and considering scientific evidence

The Evidence is Lacking for “Effective Reps” by Greg Nuckols https://www.strongerbyscience.com/effective-reps/

Grgic 2018 Effect of Resistance Training Frequency on Gains in Muscular Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29470825/

43:01 Engaging in dialogue regarding these models

48:24 Closing out this overdelivering 50 minute episode

Research moves slow, well, at least slower than we wish it did. But, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t also produce paradigm shifts that shake up practice. In this episode Dr. Helms and Dr. Trexler sit down to answer questions using research, most of which that is actually still in the publication process and not yet available. This research will have a major impact on the future of practice in nutrition, as it relates to protein while dieting, training, as it relates to how much volume lifters perform, and cardio, for both training and health. You don’t want to miss this cutting edge research Q&A!

00:00 Can Trexler get out of the old school matrix? And an insight into scientific publishing

Helms 2014 Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: nutrition and supplementation https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24864135/

Helms 2015 Recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: resistance and cardiovascular training https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24998610/

05:46 Getting into the Q&A. Question 1: Pprotein intakes during dieting

Helms 2014 A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24092765/

Morton 2018 A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28698222/

18:08 Unwrapping some Christmas gifts: Helms’ Masters research and some conclusion from the upcoming systematic review and meta-regression

Nunes 2022 Systematic review and meta-analysis of protein intake to support muscle mass and function in healthy adultshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35187864/

35:08 Question 2: Cardio intensity

https://massresearchreview.com/

Hamaya 2024 Time- vs Step-Based Physical Activity Metrics for Health https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38767892/

Steele 2021 Slow and Steady, or Hard and Fast? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies Comparing Body Composition Changes between Interval Training and Moderate Intensity Continuous Traininghttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34822354/

Mielke 2024 Physical activity volume, frequency, and intensity: Associations with hypertension and obesity over 21 years in Australian womenhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38735532/

57:06 Question 3: Resistance training volume

Schoenfeld 2017 Dose-response relationship between weekly resistance training volume and increases in muscle mass: A systematic review and meta-analysishttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27433992/

Baz-Valle 2022 A Systematic Review of The Effects of Different Resistance Training Volumes on Muscle Hypertrophy https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35291645/

Robinson 2024 Exploring the Dose-Response Relationship Between Estimated Resistance Training Proximity to Failure, Strength Gain, and Muscle Hypertrophy: A Series of Meta-Regressions https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38970765/

1:06:23 Closing out this hour of power episode

In this Iron Culture episode Dr. Helms sits down with fellow 3DMJ coaches and Iron Culture veterans Brian Minor and Alberto Nunez for a spirited debate about who they each think are the top 5 natural male bodybuilders of all time. Bodybuilding is where art and culture meet science, where science meets sport, and if you are a fan of natural bodybuilding and its history, you will love this episode. Listen in as they struggle to even agree on a criteria for someone to be The Natty GOAT, learn little-known facts about the early years of Kai Greene’s career when he was natural, and pay careful attention to the honourable mentions, as there are many potential candidates, for the “Mt. Rushmore plus one” of natty competitive bodybuilding.

00:00 Welcome to an exciting episode without Omar and Trexler

02:29 Brian and Berto’s history with bodybuilding

Iron Culture Ep. 26- How Progressive Overload Actually Works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfe8tsxFieI&t=37s

10:20 A debate of the Mt Rushmore + 1 of natural bodybuilding

23:00 A quick Kai Greene and IFBB/NPC history lesson

28:30 Continuing the debate

51:00 Fleshing out everyone’s 5th and final competitor and some honourable mentions

1:14:13 The top 5 ranked

1:20:48 Final comments and closing out 

Caffeine is incredibly popular among lifters and non-lifters alike. In a variety of cultures all across the globe (including the iron culture), caffeine is a daily staple. While most people use caffeine for a morning boost of energy, lifters have long used caffeine as a performance-enhancing supplement. There is a tremendous amount of evidence reporting acute ergogenic effects from a single dose of caffeine, but there is a surprising lack of research addressing critical questions about caffeine's utility as an "everyday" pre-workout supplement. In today's episode, Eric Trexler reviews a new study suggesting that caffeine improves performance when consumed in the morning, but not in the evening. This is followed by an in-depth discussion about when caffeine may (or may not) be effectively used as a performance-enhancing supplement, and how to balance potential tradeoffs between acute performance enhancement and sleep disruption.