Vascularity, in bodybuilding

Bodybuilding

Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...

, is the condition of having prominent, visible vein

Vein

In the circulatory system, veins are blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated blood to the heart...

s.
Vascularity is enhanced by extremely low body fat ( Usually below 5%), low retained water, high blood pressure

Blood pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, BP varies...

 and muscle engorgement

Engorgement

In biology, engorgement is a naturally occurring or pathological condition of vessels being saturated with fluids. It may happen for instance in the breast or in other erectile tissues like the penis....

. Genetics will affect vascularity as well as ambient temperature. Some bodybuilders use topical

Topical

In medicine, a topical medication is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes such as the vagina, anus, throat, eyes and ears.Many topical medications are epicutaneous, meaning that they are applied directly to the skin...

 vasodilators to increase blood flow to the surface skin as well. Vascularity is a highly sought after aesthetic for many male bodybuilders, but less so for female bodybuilders

Female bodybuilding

Female bodybuilding is the female component of competitive bodybuilding. It began in the late 1970s when women began to take part in bodybuilding competitions.-Beginnings:...

 where the target aesthetic is relatively more towards aesthetic symmetry than extreme development.

Bodybuilders or athletes sometimes dehydrate themselves, a few days before a competition or show, to achieve this look. Self-dehydration is not recommended by medical professionals as the negative health effects of dehydration are well documented and established.

Notable Vascular Bodybuilders

• Ronnie Coleman
  Ronnie Coleman
  Ronnie Dean "Big Ron" Coleman is an American professional bodybuilder who holds the record of eight straight wins as Mr. Olympia, a record career total that he shares with Lee Haney.-Biography:...
  
  
• Frank "Wrath" McGrath
• Simon Chan
• Eugene Sandow
• Tony Greco
• Tarek El Attar
• Mike Markovich
• Craig Smith