Myofibrillar hypertrophy is a type of muscle growth that occurs as a result of increased protein-synthesis">protein synthesis in the muscle fibers. This type of hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in the size and number of myofibrils, which are the individual contractile units within muscle fibers.

What does it mean?

When you exercise, your muscles undergo stress and damage, which then needs to be repaired. This repair process involves the creation of new muscle fibers as well as the growth and thickening of existing muscle fibers. Myofibrillar hypertrophy refers specifically to the growth and thickening of these individual muscle fibers due to an increase in protein synthesis.

Examples, Synonyms and Antonyms

Some examples of exercises that can lead to myofibrillar hypertrophy include heavy lifting with low reps, powerlifting, and other strength-based exercises. Synonyms for myofibrillar hypertrophy include functional hypertrophy, strength hypertrophy, and sarcomeric hypertrophy. Antonyms include sarcoplasmic hypertrophy, which involves an increase in the volume of sarcoplasm, the fluid within muscle fibers.

Related Terms and Confusions

Related terms include muscle hypertrophy, which is a general term that refers to any muscle growth, and hyperplasia, which refers to an increase in the number of muscle fibers rather than their size. It is important to note that myofibrillar hypertrophy is often confused with sarcoplasmic hypertrophy, which is another type of muscle growth that involves an increase in the volume of sarcoplasm, the fluid within muscle fibers. While both types of hypertrophy can occur simultaneously, they are distinct processes with different training requirements.