BPK 142 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Muscle Hypertrophy, Mechanical Advantage

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Biomedical Physio & Kines
• Course: BPK 142
• Professor: Craig Asmundson

Document Summary

Prior to puberty the strength of boys is only slightly greater than the strength of girls. Muscle strength progressively improves as children age and mature, principally as a result of increasing muscle size. Hormonal influences at puberty (testosterone) are responsible for the dramatic increase in muscle bulk and strength in males. During this time period the increase in muscle mass in both sexes is due to hypertrophy of individual muscle fibers and not hyperplasia. Muscle strength can be improved by resistance training before puberty in both boys and girls. These changes occur without significant increases in muscle size. Consider chronological age versus biological age when designing individualized weight training programs for children. During the time period surrounding peak height velocity (age ~12 in girls and age ~14 in boys), young athletes may be at increased risk for injury. Sex differences in strength in adults are greater in the arms and shoulders than in the legs.