What is a common physiological response to heavy resistance training?

Heavy resistance training typically leads to increased muscle hypertrophy, which is the process of muscle fibers increasing in size. When you subject your muscles to significant resistance, the micro-tears that occur during this workout prompt the body to repair and reinforce the muscle fibers, resulting in larger and stronger muscles over time. This physiological response is a key adaptation to strength training and is often desired by individuals looking to improve their physical performance, appearance, or overall strength.

In contrast, some options like decreased muscle mass, decreased metabolic rate, and decreased bone density are generally not associated with heavy resistance training. Instead, regular strength training typically promotes muscle growth, can enhance metabolic rate due to increased muscle mass, and supports or improves bone density by stimulating bone remodeling.