VWC Heart Hypertrophy Question

Atl · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 04:35 PM

In the VWC book eccentric and concentric heart hypertrophy are mentioned as side effects of this program. These effects allow the heart to function more efficiently. I am given to understanding that these effects are long lasting. How long do these effects last? Do they dry up after the training is dropped or do these effects last for some period of time and to what degree? I am just curious.

Hidden Dragon · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 06:19 PM

Your heart is similar to your skeletal muscle. Using it more will cause it to hypertrophy, just like lifting weights or kettle bells. How much it will grow, and how long that muscle will last is completely dependent on your own physiology. Do you keep muscle well on your frame? That is probably the best way to gauge it. If you keep doing some cardio, I don't see it atrophying much, so it will probably keep for a long time. You would have to become pretty damn sedentary to have it deteriorate to a large extent.

That said, I don't see you giving up your bell any time soon.

Ideal Paradigm · #3 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atl

In the VWC book eccentric and concentric heart hypertrophy are mentioned as side effects of this program. These effects allow the heart to function more efficiently. I am given to understanding that these effects are long lasting. How long do these effects last? Do they dry up after the training is dropped or do these effects last for some period of time and to what degree? I am just curious.

All the effects go away the moment you stop training. You will revert to how you were in Day 1 before you even touched a Kettlebell.

Just kidding, but on a more serious note, as Hidden Dragon said. The degree to which your training has given you benefits will only diminish if you discontinue your training. If you were to discontinue your training, the amount of time it would take for your benefits to disappear would be related to how your physiology works and the length of the period of being sedentary.

sedibald · #4 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 01:13 AM

Hey, I'm also wondering, as com. Atl...

I've read (somewhere in this forum or DD material I think) that it is hard to grow a big heart (VWC anyone?), however, maintaining it in good condition (i.e. without any progress goals, just keeping the fitness level up) needs less work, i.e., one VO2max session a week.

Am I right on this one?

Atl · #5 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 04:05 AM

Yes, I am curious as to what will maintain it as well.

Kenneth Jay · #6 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 06:27 AM

to answer it short... the concentric hypertrophy gained during training is pretty much permanent but the eccentric is not. the thickness of the heart wall will remain the same but chamber size will diminish over time (about 6-12 months depending on indivudual variations) . now having a thick heart wall withut the companion eccentric hypertrophy is actually pretty bad health wise. because as you loose the expansion the heart wall will loose its elasticity and thereby have the potential to cause high blood pressure and other conditions... Lifting weights without any cardiovascular exercise cause that to some degree. Powerlifters and weightlifters are the worst. very thick heart musculature but only very little chamber size compared to the weight of the heart and no elasticity.

/KJ

Atl · #7 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 07:28 AM

So this has been a trap to force me to stay in good health...lol? Thanks for the answer. I guess I would be a fool to think that one is not stuck having to maintain good cardio health for the rest of their life to avoid bad health. Still, I was mainly interested in how long I could move to another program for without killing out the cardio effect of the VWC. 6 to 12 months is plenty of time.

ninkageaikidoka · #8 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 09:14 AM

What is the recommended minimum for maintenance. Not that I want to only do the minimum, I just want to know what is require to maintain when my focus shifts elsewhere. Thanks

Kenneth Jay · #9 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninkageaikidoka

What is the recommended minimum for maintenance. Not that I want to only do the minimum, I just want to know what is require to maintain when my focus shifts elsewhere. Thanks

one session per week!

/KJ

inarchetype · #10 (**permalink**) 04-22-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth Jay

to answer it short... the concentric hypertrophy gained during training is pretty much permanent but the eccentric is not. the thickness of the heart wall will remain the same but chamber size will diminish over time (about 6-12 months depending on indivudual variations) . now having a thick heart wall withut the companion eccentric hypertrophy is actually pretty bad health wise. because as you loose the expansion the heart wall will loose its elasticity and thereby have the potential to cause high blood pressure and other conditions... Lifting weights without any cardiovascular exercise cause that to some degree. Powerlifters and weightlifters are the worst. very thick heart musculature but only very little chamber size compared to the weight of the heart and no elasticity.
/KJ

This is consistent with what I have read in the past- but I have also read a couple of studies (OK- lets be honest- abstracts) that find that lower intensity, more prolonged aerobic exercise can help to maintain/restore plasticity (although not so good for building capacity) that may be lost as the heart thickens (strengthens) in response to higher intensity work.
Is there an opinion on this???