Muscle growth is a process that occurs after resistance exercise when protein synthesis exceeds protein breakdown. This is an anabolic response and is a direct result of resistance training and the type of diet you consume. The more muscle mass you have, the more strength you will have and the better your body will function overall. This is why everyone should make muscle building a goal in their fitness program. The goal may be to improve performance, reduce and prevent disease or just have a stronger body to live with.
The human body is comprised of 650 skeletal muscles that are composed of thread-like myofibrils and sarcomeres. Muscle growth is a result of repeated muscle contractions that lead to increases in the size and thickness of muscle fibers and the overall muscle. Muscle growth is regulated by the nervous system, circulatory system and endocrine system, which all contribute to the muscle growth process.
Muscle growth can be triggered by many factors, such as stress and hormones from the blood, but mainly through the use of weight resistance training. The more resistance training you do, the greater your muscles will grow. There is also a genetic component to muscle growth, and as you age, your ability to gain muscle will diminish. This is known as sarcopic muscle growth and is one of the reasons why it is important to maintain active throughout your life.
There are a number of different ways to build muscle and the results will vary from person to person. The amount of muscle you gain will depend on your training age, how much weight you lift and the rest that is taken between sets. The closer you get to your maximum genetic potential for muscle growth, the harder it will be to see results. This is why it is important to train smart and to take your time when lifting.
During the early perinatal period, the growth of the skeleton causes muscles to stretch, which leads to myofibrils and sarcomeres growing in length to keep up with skeletal growth. This is similar to postnatal muscle growth in humans, and the rate of change slows down as you approach adolescence when skeletal growth ceases due to fusion of the epiphyseal plates in long bones.
When you are performing weight resistance training, the damage to muscle fibers triggers satellite cells on the outside of the muscle fiber to become activated. These cells then fuse with the muscle fibers to increase their size and create new myofibrils. The more satellite cells that fuse to muscle fibers, the larger your muscles will be.
The amount of muscle you have is also controlled by the amount of protein you consume and the quality of the protein. Eating a high quantity of protein will stimulate muscle protein synthesis. The best types of protein to eat are meat, fish, dairy and eggs.
It is recommended to work each muscle group twice a week for the best results. This is because the muscle is in a more anabolic state two times a week than once. You will want to avoid waiting too long between workouts as this can cause a decrease in muscle protein synthesis. Muskeltillväxt