National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Group Fitness Instructor Practice Exam

Which of the following describes a neuromuscular adaptation resulting from resistance training?

1. Endurance

2. Hypertrophy

3. Flexibility

4. Strength

The correct answer is: Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy is an essential concept in the context of resistance training and is characterized by an increase in the size of skeletal muscle fibers. This adaptation occurs as a response to the mechanical overload placed on the muscles during resistance training. When muscles are subjected to resistance, they experience micro-tears in the muscle fibers, which then recover and adapt by increasing their cross-sectional area. This physiological process enhances muscle mass and strength, making it a critical adaptation for individuals engaged in resistance training. While strength is also an adaptation derived from resistance training, it is more closely related to the overall ability of muscles to exert force, which can be influenced by various factors including neural adaptations and muscle size. Endurance refers to the muscle's ability to sustain prolonged activity and is typically enhanced through different training modalities, such as aerobic exercises. Flexibility involves the range of motion in joints and is influenced by different training approaches, primarily stretching. Thus, of the choices presented, hypertrophy specifically denotes the muscular adaptation directly associated with increased muscle size due to resistance training.