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I came across this article while doing so research on how to stretch collagen.
Being that the tunica is comprised of collagen and that it has been stated in other threads that the tunica is most likely the limiting factor in length gains once the suspensory ligament has been stretch to its max, I decided to do some research into effective ways to stretch collagen.
According to this article, collagen fibers cannot be stretched. They are not elastic. They do not stretch, they just break. However, massaging can cause the bonds between the collagen fibers to weaken. I posted the theory out of the article below.
Collagen fibers may be tough and inelastic, but they also have the remarkable property that allows them change consistency when massaged. The property is called thixotropy. Thixotropic compounds are firm when standing still, and become more liquid when shaken or moved. Synovial fluid in joints and the ground substance between cells are both thixotropic. Because all of the collagen fibers of the body are bathed in and infused with synovial fluid and ground substance, tendons, ligaments and joint capsules have thixotropic qualities. This means that when you massage them, they get softer. Tendons, ligaments and joint capsules don’t stretch when you pull on them, but if you gently agitate the fluid that surrounds and infuses them, the bonds between the fibers weaken, and places where the fibers are bound and scrunched up unbind and un-scrunch.
So if the above statement is true then I have a theory of my own. I postulate that an effective way to make length gains would be to first use heat as heat has been proven to restructure the collagen matrix. Second, massage your shaft to weaken the bonds between the collagen fibers. Third, perform hanging exercises while continuing to add heat from a rice sock or other heat source and massage the shaft between sets. Then finally cool down the shaft with a cold wash cloth while hanging on your last set. The cool down should set the collagen in its restructured state.
Any thoughts?
I came across this article while doing so research on how to stretch collagen.
Being that the tunica is comprised of collagen and that it has been stated in other threads that the tunica is most likely the limiting factor in length gains once the suspensory ligament has been stretch to its max, I decided to do some research into effective ways to stretch collagen.
According to this article, collagen fibers cannot be stretched. They are not elastic. They do not stretch, they just break. However, massaging can cause the bonds between the collagen fibers to weaken. I posted the theory out of the article below.
Collagen fibers may be tough and inelastic, but they also have the remarkable property that allows them change consistency when massaged. The property is called thixotropy. Thixotropic compounds are firm when standing still, and become more liquid when shaken or moved. Synovial fluid in joints and the ground substance between cells are both thixotropic. Because all of the collagen fibers of the body are bathed in and infused with synovial fluid and ground substance, tendons, ligaments and joint capsules have thixotropic qualities. This means that when you massage them, they get softer. Tendons, ligaments and joint capsules don’t stretch when you pull on them, but if you gently agitate the fluid that surrounds and infuses them, the bonds between the fibers weaken, and places where the fibers are bound and scrunched up unbind and un-scrunch.
So if the above statement is true then I have a theory of my own. I postulate that an effective way to make length gains would be to first use heat as heat has been proven to restructure the collagen matrix. Second, massage your shaft to weaken the bonds between the collagen fibers. Third, perform hanging exercises while continuing to add heat from a rice sock or other heat source and massage the shaft between sets. Then finally cool down the shaft with a cold wash cloth while hanging on your last set. The cool down should set the collagen in its restructured state.
Any thoughts?
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