Explain how the principle of progressive overload stimulates muscle hypertrophy and the role of warm-up and cool-down in supporting this adaptation process. (4 marks)
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- Progressive overload involves gradually increasing workout intensity by increasing resistance, repetitions or training volume over time.
- This consistent overload causes structural changes in muscle including increased actin and myosin filaments, myofibrils and connective tissues.
- The challenge beyond normal capacity results in muscle fibres adapting and growing larger to handle increased demands.
- Warm-up increases blood flow to muscles and prepares them for training intensity while reducing injury risk.
- Cool-down helps remove waste products from muscles and aids recovery between sessions.
- Therefore progressive overload with proper warm-up and cool-down supports optimal muscle hypertrophy development.
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- Progressive overload involves gradually increasing workout intensity by increasing resistance, repetitions or training volume over time.
- This consistent overload causes structural changes in muscle including increased actin and myosin filaments, myofibrils and connective tissues.
- The challenge beyond normal capacity results in muscle fibres adapting and growing larger to handle increased demands.
- Warm-up increases blood flow to muscles and prepares them for training intensity while reducing injury risk.
- Cool-down helps remove waste products from muscles and aids recovery between sessions.
- Therefore progressive overload with proper warm-up and cool-down supports optimal muscle hypertrophy development.