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When new muscle fibers are formed through hypertrophy, how long does it take for motor neurons to connect to the new muscle cells in order to be able to control them?

After taking a break from working out, I noticed that my strength has actually increased and I wondered that maybe although the new muscle cells were already built back when I was working out, they weren't yet connected to the nervous system and so I couldn't "access" this strength.

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The question is quite interesting. what is the time required to newly establish a neural connection to newly formed muscles? Unfortunately the answer is NO.

No new muscles are formed by hypertrophy. This is because you are referring to hypertrophy, not hyperplasia, which are essentially different. Hypertrophy is increase in the muscular fibers due to increase in mitochondria, myofibrils and other cell organelles. The size and volume of cell increases but the number of muscular cells remains same, hence there is no change in the nerve connections. The nerve connections essentially remain same. When you do strength training, the proteins i.e. actin and myosin undergo wear and tear. This damaged is repaired by synthesis of these proteins which is results in muscular hypertrophy.

Hyperplasia is increase in number of cells. Which brings us to next question, do muscle cells divide? The answer is YES, but it is largely restricted. These cells are termed as satellite cells. So new neural connections are established probably only if new muscle fibers are formed.

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    $\begingroup$ Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please edit to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center. $\endgroup$
    – Community Bot
    Feb 25, 2022 at 19:57
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks! So do I understand correctly that generally the total number of muscular cells remains constant, but the size of the cells increases due to strength training? And when does muscular hyperplasia occur and how long does it take for neural connections to be established when it occurs? $\endgroup$
    – timtam
    Feb 25, 2022 at 20:21
  • $\begingroup$ @timtam, yes! it is the strength and weight training that causes the muscular hypertrophy. Muscular hyperplasia occurs during the muscle damage or when satellite cells are stimulated under the influence of growth factors. Although I am unsure of time required for formation of new neural connections for a new muscle fiber, but I think that a new neural connection is established as the muscle fiber is formed. $\endgroup$
    – TOXIN_SCIENCE
    Feb 26, 2022 at 18:14
  • $\begingroup$ @TOXIN_SCIENCE thanks. what exactly causes this muscular damage in hyperplasia? Aren't sore muscles from workouts not also damaged muscles? Do you have any literature suggestions to read more about how neurons connect to muscles? $\endgroup$
    – timtam
    Feb 27, 2022 at 19:41

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