Thread: funct. hypertrophy

That is what bodybuilders do, sarcoplasmic hypertrophy is the term you are looking for.

Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy occurs with an accumulation of intercellular
fluid and non contractile proteins, which do not influence muscle force production." [In other words, size, not necessarily
strength.] "Myofibrillar hypertrophy on the other hand is an enlargement of the muscle fiber through increasing the density or
thickness of the contractile filaments. Thus, myofibrillar hypertrophy increases the amount of force in which a muscle can
produce." [Strength, not necessarily size.]

Resistance training can contribute to both sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar fiber hypertrophy. However, depending on the volume and intensity of training performed, one type of fiber hypertrophy may
predominate over the other.

For example, sarcoplasmic hypertrophy is typically seen among bodybuilders. Bodybuilders utilize longer TUT's (Time Under Tension) per set and perform greater workloads (time divided by reps & sets).

Myofibrillar hypertrophy is seen to a greater extent among Olympic weightlifters and powerlifters who tend to use heavier weights and lesser workload.

Basically, you want to lift a little heavier in order to enlarge the myofibrils and increase strength. Something like 80-90% of your 1RM is the weight you should be using to hypertrophy your muscles in this manner.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

Basically, you want to lift a little heavier in order to enlarge the myofibrils and increase strength. Something like 80-90% of your 1RM is the weight you should be using to hypertrophy your muscles in this manner.

I don't even know what my 1RM is...on anything.

Does Myofibrillar hypertrophy promote any size at all. I kind of knew all this, but without any terminology. Where does the whole slow/fast twitch fibers sit in this topic?

Originally Posted by lnvanry

I don't even know what my 1RM is...on anything.

Does Myofibrillar hypertrophy promote any size at all. I kind of knew all this, but without any terminology. Where does the whole slow/fast twitch fibers sit in this topic?

Well, let's just say your 4-8RM is the range best for achieving myofibriliary hypertrophy. Now, when I say max, I don't mean a weight you can do 3x8 with 60 second rest intervals with; I mean one set to muscular failure or just short of it.

Yes, it does promote size. It is still hypertrophy. The difference is that myofribillar hypertrophy also promotes strength gains.

You can achieve either kind of hypertrophy in any fiber type. However, fast twitch fibers have a greater potential for hypertrophy than slow twitch fibers.

which are fast and which are slow?