In fact, there is a symbiotic-like relationship between exercise and mitochondria, said Dr Pang. “Exercise has been shown to impact mitochondria by driving the creation of new mitochondria. Exercise improves the quality of mitochondria, which then powers exercise better, resulting in better performance and muscle growth.”
DOES MUSCLE SIZE MATTER?
Having bigger muscles doesn’t always mean having greater strength and power, said Eng Xue Wen, a senior physiotherapist with TTSH’s Sports Physiotherapy Clinic.
Strength is not only dependent on muscle size but also your neural efficiency, she explained. “Strength depends heavily on your nervous system’s ability to recruit and coordinate the muscle fibres in multiple muscles to fire synchronously to produce a movement. For instance, Bruce Lee, a legendary martial artist, was widely known for his lean build but remarkable strength and power. A bodybuilder may have larger muscles but he may also have less efficient neural recruitment patterns,” said Eng.
And yes, power, too, is also important. “While strength and power are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, they represent two distinct qualities in physical performance,” said Lim. “Strength refers to the ability of a muscle or group of muscles to exert force against resistance. Power, on the other hand, combines force with speed.”
Both strength and power, continued Lim, help you to move more efficiently. “Strength provides the foundation for stability and load tolerance, while power supports quick, dynamic actions.”
SO CAN YOU BUILD MUSCLES WITHOUT TOUCHING A SINGLE DUMBBELL?
Yes, you can, said Deon Tan, a senior physiotherapist with Changi General Hospital’s (CGH) Physiotherapy Department. “Muscles grow when they are challenged through progressive overload, which means gradually increasing the difficulty of your exercises over time. While weights make this process easier to track and adjust, they are not the only way to achieve it.”