Research from British scientists reveals that weight training primarily strengthens the nervous system in the initial weeks, before significant muscle development occurs. When restarting your routine, patience is key—visible results take time.
With gyms reopening after COVID-19 closures in places like France, returning trainees should expect gradual progress. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience on July 22, 2020, demonstrates that the first weeks of weight training enhance neural pathways rather than muscle size.
Experts at Newcastle University's Institute of Neuroscience (UK) describe this as essential neural conditioning—a foundational step for building strength and, ultimately, muscle mass. While it's long been established that resistance training promotes hypertrophy, this research uncovers the critical neural adaptations that precede it.
In the experiment, researchers trained two monkeys to lift a weight using one arm. Over 12 weeks, the load progressively increased to 6 kg—roughly equivalent to the animals' body weight. Daily sessions involved stimulating the motor cortex while monitoring electrical activity in the arm muscles.
Results showed amplified electrical responses in the trained arm during the early phase, attributed to strengthened motor tracts, particularly the reticulospinal pathways.
“Strength isn’t just about muscle mass. When you start lifting weights, you get stronger because neural input to the muscles increases. Only after a few weeks do the muscles themselves grow,” explains Isabel Glover, PhD, co-author of the study.
This aligns with ongoing neuroscience research into resistance training. A separate 2018 Newcastle University study found endurance exercises offer anti-aging benefits, unlike pure strength training.
