ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

How does an increase in training effort affect remodeling and damage?

1. Remodel increases then remains constant

2. Damage should always exceed remodeling

3. Remodeling should occur at the same rate as damage

4. Increased training leads to increased remodeling

The correct answer is: Increased training leads to increased remodeling

When training effort increases, the body's response is to adapt to the new levels of stress by enhancing the remodeling processes. This is fundamentally related to the principle of progressive overload, where the body must work harder than it is accustomed to in order to achieve improvements. With greater training effort, there is generally an increase in muscle damage as a result of the heightened intensity or volume of exercise. However, the body responds to this damage through a process of remodeling, where tissue repair and adaptation occur, ultimately leading to stronger and more resilient muscle fibers. Increased training leads to a proportional increase in the remodeling process as the body seeks to recover from the damage encountered during exercise. This adaptation is crucial for progress in strength and performance. The primary drive for muscle growth and adaptation is through this cycle of damage and subsequent remodeling. Therefore, with increased training effort, the expectation is that remodeling will also increase significantly, facilitating the body's adaptation to greater workloads and improving overall fitness.