What is it?
The hypertrophy process is defined as the expansion of the structural components of cells, as well as cellular functions, which causes an increase in cell volume and therefore organs. In this sense, it can occur physiologically as in pregnancy, in which the tissues undergo changes in size, such as the uterine musculature expanded for the accommodation of the fetus or pathologically as observed in the myocardium in hypertensive patients.
What’s hypertrophy for?
In some situations the cells of the body need to expand their size to meet metabolic demands, so that this occurs the supply of nutrients must meet cellular requirements, the cellular architecture needs to be intact and nerve endings need to be preserved to conduct hypertrophy stimuli. Hypertrophy is a form of cellular adaptation that the body has developed to meet certain needs.
How does hypertrophy work?
The hypertrophic process is a response of the body to increased work overload for that specific tissue that increases its volume and weight, but the basic structure of the organ remains unchanged. In some cases, hypertrophy is reversible when the stimulus is ceased, the cell returns to its normal state, but in pathological cases the cells may suffer apoptosis (cell death) and generate heart failure, which can culminate in death.
When do you need to supplement?
One of the processes most desired by bodybuilding practitioners is muscle hypertrophy that generates increased muscle mass in the individual. However, skeletal muscle hypertrophy is dependent on nutritional factors, especially with regard to the consumption of proteins of high biological value, in addition to factors associated with training, since mechanical work generates cell signaling and triggers the hypertrophy process, stimulating the formation of new myofibrils.
Reference
Article
Strength and endurance training in hypoxia:
Fernández-Lázaro, D., Díaz, J., Caballero, A., & Cordoba, A. (2019). The training of strength-resistance in hypoxia: effect on muscle hypertrophy. Entrenamiento de fuerza y resistencia en hipoxia: efecto en la hipertrophy muscular. Biomedica :
revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud
, 39
(1), 212–220. https://doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v39i1.4084
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: Resistance exercise and the promotion of muscle hypertrophy
