Muscular hypertrophy is characterized by what?

Muscular hypertrophy is defined as the increase in the size of skeletal muscle fibers, which occurs as a result of resistance training and other forms of mechanical overload. This physiological process involves the repair and growth of muscle fibers in response to stress placed on them during workouts. When muscles are subjected to resistance exercises, micro-tears occur in the muscle tissue. The body responds by repairing these fibers, resulting in an increase in their size and strength.

This growth can be attributed to several factors, including increased protein synthesis and the activation of satellite cells, which contribute to muscle repair and growth. Unlike other potential options regarding muscle size and fiber numbers, hypertrophy specifically refers to the enlargement of existing muscle fibers, rather than a decrease or an increase in the quantity of fibers. Therefore, recognizing that muscular hypertrophy specifically describes an increase in muscle fiber size is essential for understanding how strength training affects muscle development.