Interesting read to say the least.
I found VAST improvement from hardly lifting to jumping right into 6-7 days a week for about 4 months, then going to 5-6 days a week, and was using the up pyramid. Then when we did arms we'd do a BIG pyramid til failure x 2 or 3
I saw gains from that and the 'overuse' (as I now know it as) of creatine. I was really pushing water then, and upped my protein intake and threw in cardio now and then. I got to the point where I 'impressed' the guys I was working out with. Now....not so much...lol.
I did change up to doing more weight on machines and the 8-6-6(4) reps and pushed my workout (3-4 exercises per group/1 group a day) in 30-45 minutes. Helped since I didn't have much time anymore....