Improvements in muscle size and strength occur in which stage of the general adaptation syndrome?

The resistance stage of the general adaptation syndrome is where improvements in muscle size and strength occur. During this phase, the body has successfully adapted to the initial stressor encountered during the alarm stage. After exposure to a stressor, such as resistance training, the body begins to make physiological adjustments to optimize performance and recovery.

In the resistance stage, several processes are activated, including muscle hypertrophy, where muscle fibers increase in size to handle the demands placed on them. Strength gains are also realized as the neuromuscular system becomes more efficient in recruiting muscle fibers and coordinating movements. This adaptation is crucial for successfully managing the workload, and is where tangible changes in strength and size begin to manifest as the body continues to respond to training stimuli.

Other stages, like the alarm stage, primarily involve the recognition and initial response to a stressor, while the exhaustion stage indicates that the body has lost its ability to cope with the stress or has been overwhelmed, leading to potential injury or overtraining. Recovery does not represent a distinct stage within this framework but is instead part of the ongoing process that can occur throughout the resistance stage. Therefore, the resistance stage is the key phase where notable improvements in muscle size and strength take place.