Your DNA determines how many muscle fibres a person is born with. This number never changes cause one can't make more muscle fibres during their lifetime. With more muscle fibres, one has the potential to be stronger. It is an acquired trait because you could train your muscles to become bigger. When you train, for example resistance training, your muscle produces more myofilaments which increases their diameter. This is why you develop large muscles when you train
The size of your muscles is partly an acquired trait because of the influence of environmental factors like physical exercise and nutrition. Muscles can undergo hypertrophy when they are frequently used or subjected to resistance training; this increases the number of myofibrils and sarcomeres within the muscle fibers, resulting in greater muscle mass and strength. The process is reversible, as muscles can experience atrophy from lack of use or other adverse conditions, leading to a reduction in muscle bulk and strength.
However, the potential for muscle growth and baseline strength is also dependent on DNA, as the number of muscle fibers one has is genetically determined. Factors such as the production of testosterone and other hormones, which are influenced by an individual's genetic makeup, can augment hypertrophy. Genes code for muscle proteins like actin and myosin that are essential in muscle contraction and growth. Thus, the interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental factors explains why muscle size is a trait influenced by both nature and nurture.
Muscle size is influenced by both genetic factors, such as the number and type of muscle fibers determined by DNA, and acquired factors, including training that leads to muscle hypertrophy. Genetics sets your potential, while effort and environmental factors like exercise and diet actually develop the muscles. Therefore, muscle size results from a complex interaction between your genetic traits and acquired habits.
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