About Muscle Growth
According to the Pediatric Orthopeadic Society of North America, muscles are composed of tiny multinucleated fibers known as muscle fibers. During strenuous exercise, these muscle fibers tear. Muscle growth takes place when protein is absorbed by a muscle to repair the fibers. Muscle growth requires putting strain on a muscle along with a diet that is high in protein.
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Microtrauma
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Microtrauma is the scientific term that's used to describe the tearing and rebuilding of muscle fibers. When muscle fibers tear, the body reacts by adding more muscle fibers thus compensating. Pushing your muscles to their limit will often spur microtrauma within muscles.
Speed
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The growth of new muscle tissue takes time and no one will become muscular overnight. However, many individuals turn towards creatine to speed up the rate at which muscle grows. According to Paul Greenhaff, Ph.D., professor of muscle metabolism at the University of Nottingham in England, creatine is an osmotically active substance. Osmotically active substances pull water into muscle cells which increases the speed of protein synthesis and muscle growth. Creatine is found in many protein shakes and supplements, but should be used with caution.
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Effects
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Muscle growth results in an overall higher resting metabolic rate, or RMR. Muscle growth can help individuals with weight problems because it increases the amount of calories that they burn in a day.
Muscle Hypertrophy
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Muscle hypertrophy is the first type of muscle growth. According to Richard Joshua Hernandez, B.S. and Len Kravitz, Ph.D, muscle hypertrophy is an increase in muscle mass or the size of a muscle cell.
Muscle Hyperplasia
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Muscle hyperplasia is the second type of muscle growth. According to PubMed.Gov, muscle hyperplasia is an increase in the number of muscle cells present.
Protein Supplements
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For new muscle fibers to grow, the intake of protein is extremely important. According to WebMD, the consumption of protein within 30 minutes of working out has the potential to increase protein synthesis. Protein supplements and shakes are often taken by individuals to increase muscle growth. In the end, muscle growth is a result of the body using protein to repair damaged muscle fibers.
Muscle Growth Hormone
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The pituitary gland is responsible for releasing hormones into the body, one of them being somatotropin. According to The Hormone Foundation, somatotropin is the growth hormone (GH) in the body. The hypothalamus, located below the brain, is responsible for controlling the release of the growth hormone via the pituitary gland. Having too much or too little somatotropin can cause serious health and muscle growth problems.
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