I’m sure many of us here at T-Nation are aware of the rebound effect. The point that the body begins to go into an absolute overdrive state in terms of gaining strength, muscular weight and weight in general. The body will compensate for overtraining or starvation by super compensation. It is incredibly effective and can elicit gains in weeks that normally would have taken years.
I started thinking about this when I saw the movie “The Machinist” and then “Batman Begins”. Christian Bale went from 120lbs. at 6 feet to over 220lbs. in less than 3 months. That’s 100 pounds! Pretty crazy.
I then thought about my own experience with the Rebound Effect. When I left for Marine Boot Camp I weighed 195lbs at the massive height of 5’7". I wasn’t too fat either, I mean I could do 25 pullups. Well fast forward 3 months and I went home weighing 160lbs. After 24 days of being home after boot camp I went back to the fleet weighing 190lbs, with less bodyfat and stronger in every lift then when I left before. What I could not believe was the unsatiasable hunger that I had. I mean I ate everything in sight the first two weeks of being home. People I went to boot with didn’t recognize me when I went back.
I guess I am just wondering aloud to myself and the members of T-Nation. But I would like to hear from you guys about any thoughts on this and your own experiences with the rebound effect.