Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 17

Contrast the role of neural adaptations with hypertrophy in the increase in strength that occurs with resistance training.

Step 1 of 2

Studies suggest that when one arm is subjected to resistance training, the effect is transferred to the other arm also which is not subjected to the training. The trained arm shows hypertrophy due to increased recruitment of motor unites, whereas the hypertrophy or strength gain by untrained arm is solely due to neural adaptations.

These neural adaptations cause the untrained arm also to recruit motor units, alter motor neuron firing rates, enhance motor unit synchrnonization during a particular movement pattern, and result in removal of neural inhibition. All these changes together lead to enhanced muscle force even in untrained arm.