Muscle Growth Does Contribute to the Increases in Strength that Occur after Resistance Training
Jonathan P. Folland, Thomas G. Balshaw
Abstract
Resistance training (RT) is a highly popular physical activity, that can over time elicit profound\nimprovements in physical function (i.e. neuromuscular strength and power) and is thus widely\nrecommended for competitive athletes, prevention and rehabilitation of injury and illness, as well as\nhealthy ageing. An accurate understanding of the physiological adaptations responsible for improved\nfunction is important to refine RT and optimise the adaptations that ensue. This perspective highlights\na range of evidence and theory within four strands to demonstrate that muscle growth, part of the normal\nphysiological adaptation to more than a few weeks of regular RT, contributes to the strength gains that\noccur after training.