What fitness principle is applied to increase muscle hypertrophy?

The principle that is applied to increase muscle hypertrophy is overload. This principle emphasizes that in order for muscles to grow, they must be subjected to forces that exceed their usual capacity. By progressively increasing the weight, resistance, or intensity of the exercises performed, the muscles experience stress that leads to micro-tearing. This process is followed by repair and adaptation, where the muscles grow back stronger and larger.

Implementing overload can be achieved through various methods, such as lifting heavier weights, increasing the number of repetitions, or reducing rest time between sets. This systematic increase in demands encourages the muscle fibers to adapt, resulting in hypertrophy. Understanding the overload principle is crucial for anyone looking to enhance their strength training and achieve significant muscle growth.