The Thymus Gland: Unlocking Your Strength Potential with Pipeline Sports Performance

At Pipeline Sports Performance, we're committed to not just enhancing your physical abilities but also educating you on the intricate factors that influence your athletic performance. One such factor, often overlooked, is the thymus gland and its profound impact on strength gains.

Unveiling Dr. John Diamond's Insights

Dr. John Diamond, a renowned doctor and kinesiologist, authored "Behavioral Kinesiology," a book that delves deep into muscle testing across diverse populations—athletes, children, mothers, and fellow kinesiologists. His research aimed to identify the pivotal elements influencing muscular strength. While traditional factors like training history, workout routines, diet, and current physical condition play roles, Dr. Diamond unearthed groundbreaking insights that could revolutionize athletic training.

The Thymus Gland: More Than Meets the Eye

Located centrally in the chest, just beneath the breastbone and above the diaphragm, the thymus gland primarily produces and trains white blood cells and T-cells essential for a robust immune system. While its significant contributions occur before birth, recent studies indicate the thymus continues to mature these cells throughout life, releasing them into the bone marrow and bloodstream.


But how does this relate to muscle strength?

The Power of Diet: A Muscle Testing Experiment

Dr. Diamond conducted a compelling experiment:

  1. Initial Muscle Test:

    • Setup: The participant stands upright, extending their dominant arm sideways at shoulder height while the non-dominant arm rests by their side.

    • Procedure: An examiner places one hand on the participant's non-dominant shoulder for stability and the other on the extended wrist. Upon signaling, the examiner applies firm, quick, and even downward pressure as the participant resists.

    • Expected Outcome: A healthy muscle should resist the pressure, maintaining its position.

  2. Post Sugar Intake Test:

    • Participants consumed refined sugars—soft drinks, sweets, baked goods, or ice cream.

    • Repeating the muscle test, a staggering 94% exhibited a noticeable decline in strength, unable to resist the same pressure.

This experiment revealed that consuming refined sugars temporarily weakens muscles by compromising the immune system. The thymus gland, in response, diverts energy from muscles to bolster immunity, leading to reduced muscular strength. Moreover, this physical decline can mentally impact athletes, fostering self-doubt about their capabilities.

The Pipeline Sports Performance Advantage

Understanding these nuances is where Pipeline Sports Performance stands out. We recognize that optimal athletic performance isn't just about rigorous training; it's about holistic well-being. An athlete indulging in refined sugars may train relentlessly yet see minimal gains, leading to frustration and decreased motivation. Our approach ensures that athletes are informed and equipped to make dietary choices that amplify their training outcomes.

Tips to Optimize Thymus Function and Boost Performance

To ensure your thymus gland operates at its peak, consider the following recommendations, backed by research from eMedicineHealth.com:

Nutrient-Rich Diet:

  • Zinc: Incorporate oysters, crab, lobster, pumpkin seeds, cashews, almonds, and oatmeal.

  • Vitamin A: Opt for kale, spinach, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.

  • Vitamin C: Embrace citrus fruits like grapefruits and oranges.

Monitor for Imbalances:

  • Be vigilant for symptoms like rapid muscle fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness during workouts, bluish skin tone, and drooping eyelids while exercising.

Regular Physical Activity:

  • Consistent daily exercise supports thymus health.

Stress Management:

  • Excessive stress can shrink the thymus by up to 50% in just 24 hours. Engage in stress-relief practices like Wim Hof breathing techniques, meditation, physical exercises, and ensure adequate rest.

At Pipeline Sports Performance, we emphasize that true athletic excellence stems from a blend of disciplined training, informed dietary choices, and mental well-being. Our tailored programs not only focus on enhancing physical prowess but also educate athletes on the vital aspects that influence performance.

Remember, "GIVE 100% TO BE THE 1%." Embrace a holistic approach to training, and let Pipeline Sports Performance guide you on your journey to unparalleled athletic success.

Tyler Rebber (NASM, CPT)

After completing my college baseball career in early 2020 due to the COVID virus, I immediately began my National Academy of Sports Medicine CPT course. Since starting my strength training career in 2020 I have been fortunate enough to write training programs, conduct one-on-one training sessions, and organize group and team training protocols for more than 500 athletes.


During my career I have worked with football, basketball, and soccer players but my main passion and client base is made up of 80% softball and baseball ranging from 10 years old to Division 1 and semi professional players. 

I am still learning every day, but with my current experience and knowledge I aim to help parents of younger athletes understand why strength training at a young age is not only important for general well being and in game performance, but for injury prevention as well.

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