Lean Muscle Mass Accretion describes the physiological process of increasing the non-fat component of the body, specifically skeletal muscle tissue, through net positive protein balance exceeding catabolism. This process is critically dependent on anabolic signaling pathways mediated by hormones such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and testosterone. Optimizing accretion is a key clinical goal in addressing sarcopenia and improving basal metabolic rate regulation. Suboptimal accretion often signals an underlying deficit in anabolic hormone support or nutrient availability.
Origin
The terminology originates from sports physiology and clinical nutrition, where quantifying body composition changes is essential for performance and health monitoring. Accretion specifically implies a gradual, measurable accumulation over time, distinguishing it from acute weight gain. It became a central metric as the clinical focus shifted from mere body weight to functional tissue mass.
Mechanism
Accretion occurs when mechanical loading (resistance exercise) stimulates muscle protein synthesis, a process significantly amplified by the presence of adequate circulating anabolic hormones. Growth Hormone stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1, which then acts locally on muscle satellite cells to drive hypertrophy. Adequate nutrient partitioning, influenced by insulin sensitivity, ensures that substrates are directed toward muscle repair rather than ectopic fat deposition.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.