Remek, got me rethinking Smooth Muscle in this most awesome thread. I had been recording and compiling some research and working on some new ideas and this seemed to be a good time to try to put it together to share with you guys. First, I can’t say for sure that there is anything new here as far as components, ideas or concepts but as a whole, I think this may be a new perspective on the process of how and why growth takes place and why it ceases. I may be way off base. But, this is what makes sense in my mind. Feel free to share your thoughts, critiques and input. Anatomy There are two main central components involved in enlargement: 1. The Corpus Cavernosa/Corpus Spongiosum - erectile sinusoids - composed of about 50% smooth muscle and 50% collagen. 2. The tunica albuginea – a dense outer lining surrounding the erectile chambers - composed of elastin and collagen. Enlarging the Erectile Chambers: I wholeheartedly agree with remek. I believe the evidence here points to Tissue Regeneration: (Growth comes from added smooth muscle tissue and cell regeneration)
It is well documented that several factors can elicit a growth response in smooth muscle cells, including, but not limited to, stretching, injury and increased blood pressure. The following are excellent articles which support this. http://ajpregu.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/262/5/R895 http://www.ionchannels.org/showabstract.php?pmid=10666084 http://physrev.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/81/3/999 I think that is what happens with jelqing and clamping. It seems to be the same process (angiogenesis) observed in patients with blocked arteries; increased blood pressure puts stress loads on the vascular cavities and natural arterial bypasses are formed as a result (although they are not usually able to fully compensate for the blockage.) In our case, when the stress load from exercise exceeds what the tissue is accustomed to a growth response is the result. Growth process stages: A. Catalyst (Injury, Exercise, Force, etc.) B. Inflammation, Repair, Healing, C. Healing, Rest, Deconditioning Call it IPR or whatever you want but this seems to be the body's natural healing cycle regardless of the tissue type involved.- Enlarging the Tunica Albuginea
Here is where I diverge from the accepted beliefs regarding growth. First off, we must realize we are dealing with a tough fibrous structure that is difficult (but not impossible) to injure. The tunica has the ability to stretch to approximately 150% of its size. I believe initial gains (Newbie gains) are simply nothing more that maximizing the elastic capacity of the tunica (with minimal plastic deformation.) If a person is only utilizing say 90%, 110% or even 120% of his EQ potential there is room for some very quick elastic gains. This seems to be the case since the first noted benefit after starting PE is better erection quality. Once the elasticity is exhausted gains retard. From this point it would have to be pretty much plastic deformation.
(http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1464-410X.1997.26511.x)
Coupled with that point, this article states; healthy tissue itself adapts (to stress) by reorganizing the direction of collagen fibrils increasing the tissue's tensile strength. Evidence seems to support this:
“Self-assembled collagen fibers were stretched 0-50% before cross-linking and then characterized by microscopy and mechanical testing. Results of these studies indicate that fibrillar orientation, packing, and ultimate tensile strength can be increased by stretching.” Self-assembly of collagen fibers. Influence of fibrillar alignment and decorin on mechanical properties., as we train the elasticity is exhausted and the tissue gains strength so more force is needed to achieve the same results.
It may be that the stretching of the tunica not only allows for greater expansion of the CC and CS chambers but also provides addition room for new tissue growth. If this is correct then this would greatly impact the way we train and could explain some observed odd PE phenomenon. For instance, once the tunica elasticity is maximized a routine with heavy jelqing would not be advantageous due to the fact there would be very limited room for tissue growth. It would make more sense to focus on stretching out the tunica and then fill the added room with new smooth muscle growth. BPFSL and BPEL comparisons may be an indicator as to the elastic composition of an individual - This could also explain why some have a BPFSL much greater than their BPEL. Meaning, the CC/CS tissue volume is not adequate enough to “fill in the gap.” It’s like not having enough air to fill your balloon. So, if your BPFSL and BPEL are close together, you would focus on a stretch intensive routine. If not, focus on a jelq, pump, and/or clamp routine. This could also explain why gains disappear during a break. It is documented that smooth muscle can atrophy. One cause is decreased blood pressure from venous leakage in patients with ED. Meaning, increased stress/blood pressure = increased smooth muscle volume. Decreased stress/blood pressure = decreased smooth muscle volume. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16390736&d opt=AbstractPlus It could be that the smooth muscle, like skeletal muscle, atrophies when not used. This would also explain why gains return rather quickly. I believe once the maximum elasticity of the tunica is reached (end of newbie gains) then it becomes a whole new ball game – total plastic deformation. This is where most guys give up. I hope this makes sense. After reading back through it I'm not so sure : )