Connective Tissue Strengthening - JP Fitness Forums

jimb213 · 08-31-2006, 10:06 PM

I have a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, which is a collagen deficiency. Basically I have a weak skeletal system and connective tissue.

I've been doing TAP with pretty good success, and I'm making some pretty fast gains. here's my log:

Guess Who's Back? Jim Shady's Back

anyways, because of my condition, I'm concerned about my muscles essentially outpacing my connective tissue with strength gains. like I said in my last log entry, I'm about to the point where I've usually injured something in the past. I'm not too concerned with the rest of this phase, but when I hit phase 3 and up the weight and lower the reps, I'm worried it will push me beyond what my connective tissue can handle.

So what can I do to help prevent something like this happening? Would extending the current phase an extra couple of weeks significantly toughen up my ligaments 'n' things? Are there any exercises I can do in addition to the normal workouts to make a difference? Any suppliments I should be taking? (I take a glucosamine supp. already)

thanks, everyone!
-j

RobLL · 09-01-2006, 10:18 AM

I see you have no response so far, but wouldn't a condition of this sort benefit from having an academic connected physical therapist who was knowledgable in this field, and consult with him/her on a somewhat regular basis. Your specialist MD could likely give you a reference and prescription. Rob

Lost Dog · 09-01-2006, 10:29 AM

I was going to comment, but when I googled the condition, I was scared to recommend anything. There are so many levels of that condition, it's hard to say withing being an expert, what is safe to do.

Keith Scott · 09-01-2006, 10:34 AM

I am not familiar with your condition exactly, but I do know that there has been success in strengthening collagen with eccentric loading.

I have treated athletes that have come down with tendinosis (not tendinitis) successfully with eccentric loading to rebuild the CT in the muscle tendon.

again, I dont know much about your particular condition, but it may be worth looking into

jimb213 · 09-01-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

I was going to comment, but when I googled the condition, I was scared to recommend anything. There are so many levels of that condition, it's hard to say withing being an expert, what is safe to do.

well I should point out that I have a very mild version. You wouldn't know by looking at me that anything was wrong (except for an occasional limp).

And I'm not concerned about a serious injury. I just don't want to repeat my past and pull something in my elbow or knee by going too heavy too fast and knocking myself out of commission for a month. I mainly brought up my condition to tell why I'm concerned about my joints.

So basically I'm looking for a way to strengthen my connective tissue beyond the weight program I'm doing now.

Bill Hartman · 09-01-2006, 12:54 PM

Higher volume of moderate loads (AKA hypertrophy based training) with controlled eccentrics that results in higher lactate levels conditions connective tissues for heavier loading. The heavier loading will also be protective but not at the rate that the muscles adapt as they do so faster.

Bill

RobLL · 09-01-2006, 05:49 PM

Bill - I know I am expected to know what you were just saying. But while I think I know the definitions of most of the words I can't put them together in a meaningful sentence. I also really want to know what you are saying. I suspect you know what you are talking about, and it would be useful to understand. Respectfully, Rob

Lisa~ · 09-02-2006, 02:44 PM

Rob, I'll try to interpret for you. Bill can correct me if he feels the need to do so. :p

Higher volume of moderate loads [not really light but not really heavy either] (AKA hypertrophy [increases in muscular size] based training) [do programs with reps in the 8-12 range designed for muscle growth] with controlled eccentrics [going slow when the working muscle is lengthening, for example: on the way down to your chest on a bench press] that results in higher lactate levels [you get that burn in your muscles during the set] conditions connective tissues for heavier loading [these kinds of programs use heavy enough loads to help his connective tissue get stronger]. The heavier loading will also be protective but not at the rate that the muscles adapt as they do so faster. [Muscles get stronger faster than connective tissue, but with a hypertrophy program the connective tissue will be able to keep up, or at least the difference in muscle strength and connective tissue strength won't be too different.]

Did that help? Or do you still need some clarification?

RobLL · 09-02-2006, 04:23 PM

Lisa - thanks, it did help, Rob

jimb213 · 09-05-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Hartman

Higher volume of moderate loads (AKA hypertrophy based training) with controlled eccentrics that results in higher lactate levels conditions connective tissues for heavier loading. The heavier loading will also be protective but not at the rate that the muscles adapt as they do so faster.

Bill

thank you Bill! that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. It's kinda what I figured, anyways... moderation is the key. No going for my 1RM or anything like that.

I appreciate everyone's input!