Increase Vertical Jump Diet show you how to increase vertical jump by nutrition. What to eat, how much to eat, before, during, and after workouts we show you how to get optimal nutrition to increase your vertical. Understanding Anabolism and Catabolism. Most people are working out adequately to induce muscle growth (note I use adequately and not optimally). It is important to know that muscle growth is stimulated when tissues receive damage (this is good damage) called micro-tears. As a result of the micro-tears your body is called upon to repair and build the muscle even stronger than before. Think of it like the body realizing that this type of activity may be taking place again soon and this time it will properly prepare the muscles to be stronger. You must realize that stimulating muscle growth from a workout DOES NOT ensure muscle growth. Here is why: Your body is in constant need of energy to build tissues and run all of its various systems. Your body creates this energy from carbohydrates. Carbohydates are broken down into the various energy sources used for bodily functions, muscle movements, and tissue repair/building. During an intense workout your muscles and body are greatly reduced of their energy sources. This is significant when it comes to what happens next with your muscles. So what happens when you don't have enough energy?! This is when catabolism kicks in. Catabolism happens when your body does not have sufficient energy stores to meet your body's energy requirements. The effect of this is that your body breaks down other potential forms of energy from fat stores and from protein found in muscle. So instead of being built back up immediately your muscles could be broken down further! Catabolism is bad. When your body is in a catabolic state you are not bulding muscle, and may in fact be losing muscle.