1. Skeletal Muscles:
- Skeletal muscles are the primary focus when aiming to increase muscle size. These muscles are composed of thread-like myofibrils and sarcomeres, forming muscle fibers.
- Activation of motor neurons triggers muscle contraction. The better you become at activating these neurons, the stronger you can get.
- Powerlifters, despite appearing less muscular than bodybuilders, excel in lifting heavy weights due to their efficient motor neuron activation.
2. Muscle Hypertrophy:
- After a workout, your body repairs or replaces damaged muscle fibers. This process fuses muscle fibers together, resulting in muscle hypertrophy (growth).
- Muscle growth occurs when the rate of muscle protein synthesis exceeds muscle protein breakdown.
- Rest and recovery are crucial for this adaptation to happen.
3. Satellite Cells:
- Satellite cells act as stem cells for muscles. When activated, they contribute to muscle growth by adding more nuclei to muscle cells.
- These cells play a significant role in determining individual variations in muscle growth potential.
Remember, proper nutrition, especially adequate protein intake, is essential for muscle development. While lifting weights stimulates muscle growth, the actual growth occurs during rest periods. So, prioritize both training and recovery to achieve optimal results.