Research

Hormonal

Individual variability in hypertrophic response to resistance exercise is largely determined by endogenous variables such as basal satellite cell content, androgen receptor content, and gene expression profiles, rather than just exogenous training variables.

Accept that your genetic makeup (basal satellite cell count, androgen receptors) influences how much muscle you can build. While you cannot change your genetics, you can maximize your potential by optimizing the primary drivers: consistent resistance training and adequate protein intake. Do not blame your program for genetic ceilings.

GoodSupportsMEDIUM confidence
individuals exhibiting greater hypertrophy in response to RET appear to have greater androgen receptor content at rest... enhanced satellite cell (SC) proliferation in response to loading differentiates higher from lower hypertrophic 'responders' to RET
Sophie Joanisse et al. · F1000Research · 2020

Why this rating

Based on correlational studies and specific laboratory findings cited, though causality in humans is harder to prove than in rodents.

Source

Recent advances in understanding resistance exercise training-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy in humans

Sophie Joanisse et al. · F1000Research · 2020

DOI 10.12688/f1000research.21588.1

narrative_reviewCited 88×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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