Abstract

Human skeletal muscle is a critical organ serving as a primary contributor to whole-body metabolism whilst also providing the necessary force to perform activities of daily living and exercise training. Skeletal muscle mass is regulated by rates of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and muscle protein breakdown (MPB), both of which are highly sensitive to nutritional and especially contractile stimuli. Importantly, it is alterations in rates of MPS and not those of MPB that predominantly determine skeletal muscle size. In this chapter, we focus on how manipulating the modifiable factors of resistance exercise such as repetition load, exercise volume, and contraction mode affect rates of MPS and the adaptive response to resistance exercise training. We also draw from data generated in both pre-clinical models and humans to explore recent insights regarding the molecular mechanisms that underpin mRNA translation, the rate-controlling step in MPS. We conclude by summarizing the chapter and discussing areas worthy of future experimental research in the field of resistance exercise and skeletal muscle biology.