Intense, short duration exercise such as Max-OT is known to be a potent trigger of growth hormone (GH) release. The peak in this response seems to occur in the hours immediately following exercise.
Although the research isn’t completely clear on this topic, this post-workout peak in GH is thought to coincide with the recovery processes that must occur after exercise.
Recovery processes such as muscle protein synthesis and glycogen synthesis require substantial amounts of energy and the richest source of energy is fat. GH is a well established fat mobilizer. GH also plays a role in metabolizing fat for fuel. At least one reason for the exercise-induced peak in GH after exercise is to increase the availability and utilization of the fat required to fuel the recovery process after exercise. It’s believed that growth hormone is secreted in larger doses to facilitate the energy requirements.
This is just one more piece to the complex puzzle of muscle growth. It’s connecting these pieces through research, trial, and error, and well thought out training and nutritional intervention that will lead you the faster muscle growth.
Source: Growth Hormone and IGF Research 15: 397-404, 2005.
