Hypertrophy, which can be simply defined as the growth of muscles, occurs when the cells in the muscle grow in volume only, without changing in number. Hypertrophy supports organs in adapting to the conditions they are in. There are two types of hypertrophy, sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar, caused by weight lifting, mechanical damage and metabolic fatigue. It can also occur when the heart muscle grows unexpectedly or when the heart pumps more blood than normal.
What is Hypertrophy?
It is a condition that occurs when the volume of an organ or tissue increases more than normal without a change in the number of cells for a number of reasons. Cell volumes increase and occur in cells that no longer have the ability to divide or have become too small. Hypertrophy is a mechanism that supports organs to adapt to their conditions.
What is Muscle Hypertrophy?
Hypertrophy occurs in leg or arm muscle. Muscle hypertrophy is a very important topic, mostly for people interested in bodybuilding. There are two types of muscle hypertrophy: myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic. Myofibrillar hypertrophy increases muscle speed and strength, while sarcoplasmic hypertrophy increases energy and endurance during exercise. Myofibrillar hypertrophy develops the parts of the muscle that contract, while sarcoplasmic hypertrophy develops the glycogen stores that send energy to the muscles.
How does muscle hypertrophy occur?
Weight Lifting
Especially people who are interested and involved in muscle building often use this method.
Mechanical Damage
When the muscle group that is active during weight lifting applies force, the fibers in the muscles are damaged. Muscle proteins then create a repair response to repair this damage. Hypertrophy occurs with this repair response.
Metabolic Fatigue
ATP molecules are the primary source of energy for muscles and when this source is depleted, metabolic fatigue occurs. Because of this fatigue, the muscles cannot contract and hypertrophy results.
Causes of Hypertrophy
- An abnormal swelling or enlargement of the heart muscle
- Training with an intense program
- Heart disease
- Excessive pumping of blood by the heart
Types of Hypertrophy
Sarcoplasmic Hypertrophy
It occurs by increasing the volume of the liquid substance inside the muscle cells, also called sarcoplasm. It develops the glycogen stores responsible for sending energy to the muscles and increases both energy and endurance during exercise.
Myofibrillar Hypertrophy
It occurs with exercises that require strength. The parts of the muscle that contract are developed and muscle speed and strength are increased even more than before.