Research

Hormonal

Acute resistance exercise increases the colocalization of IGF-1 with muscle satellite cells (SC) in humans, peaking at 72 hours post-exercise, indicating a localized role for IGF-1 in SC function and proliferation.

To maximize muscle repair and growth potential, perform resistance training. This triggers a local increase in IGF-1 at your muscle stem cells, peaking around 72 hours after the workout. This local signal is crucial for activating satellite cells, which are necessary for muscle repair and hypertrophy. Consistency in training ensures this mechanism is repeatedly engaged.

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We observed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the percentage of SC with IGF-1 colocalization from baseline to 72 h after a bout of resistance exercise. This strongly supports a role for IGF-1 in human SC function following exercise.
Amanda L. Grubb et al. · Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism · 2013

Why this rating

Randomized controlled design with human subjects, clear statistical significance, and robust immunofluorescence quantification, though sample size is moderate (n=23).

Source

IGF-1 colocalizes with muscle satellite cells following acute exercise in humans

Amanda L. Grubb et al. · Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism · 2013

DOI 10.1139/apnm-2013-0430

mechanism_only · n=23Cited 27×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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