What are the three types of muscles and their roles in the body?
The human body has three types of muscles with very different functions—understanding their specific characteristics allows for better targeting of appropriate supplements and care. Discover our muscle comfort line to support your skeletal muscles every day.
- Skeletal (striated) muscles: attached to bones by tendons, controlled voluntarily—640 muscles accounting for 40–50% of body weight—the source of muscle strength, power, and endurance
- Smooth muscles: walls of hollow organs (intestines, blood vessels, bronchi, uterus)—involuntary control—regulate digestion, blood pressure, and secretions
- Cardiac muscle (myocardium): striated tissue under autonomic control — pumps 5 L of blood per minute at rest, up to 25 L during maximum exertion — its efficiency improves with cardiovascular training
- Muscle supplements (magnesium, potassium, omega-3) primarily affect skeletal muscles and, indirectly, the heart muscle through their effect on electrical conduction
How does muscle contraction work, and what are electrolytes?
Muscle contraction is a precise electrochemical process—its proper functioning depends directly on an optimal electrolyte balance, which supplements can support during intense exercise. Discover the active ingredients in our sports wellness line.
- Sliding filament theory: a nerve signal releases intracellular calcium—calcium activates the actin-myosin cross-bridges—the filaments slide past one another—contraction—calcium returning to the stores relaxes the muscle
- Magnesium: a calcium antagonist—regulates muscle relaxation after contraction—a deficiency leads to neuromuscular hyperexcitability, cramps, and fasciculations
- Potassium: maintains the resting potential of the muscle membrane—lost in sweat—deficiency is associated with muscle weakness and cramps
- Sodium: regulates intracellular hydration and nerve signal transmission—significant losses occur during intense heat exposure or prolonged exertion
- Calcium: triggers contraction—its intracellular balance is finely regulated—magnesium is its natural antagonist
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia: how do muscles grow?
Muscle growth follows specific mechanisms—understanding them guides the choice of supplements and training strategy. Our muscle-building line supports these anabolic processes.
- Myofibrillar hypertrophy: increase in the size and number of myofibrils (actin and myosin)—promoted by heavy loads (1–6 reps)—primarily results in strength gains
- Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy: an increase in sarcoplasm volume (glycogen, water, enzymes)—promoted by high-volume sets (8–15 reps)—primarily results in an increase in muscle volume
- Hyperplasia: an increase in the number of muscle fibers—controversial in humans, poorly documented—primarily observed under experimental conditions or in certain animals
- Microtraumas caused by exercise trigger a controlled inflammatory response (satellite cells) that rebuilds the fibers to make them thicker— muscle soreness is a normal physiological sign of this process
When is stretching beneficial or contraindicated for muscles?
- Dynamic stretching before exercise: controlled movements with increasing range of motion—prepare the muscles for exercise without reducing strength—never perform prolonged static stretching before exercise (reduces performance by 8–10%)
- Static stretching after exercise: held for 30–60 seconds—improves long-term muscle flexibility—reduces residual tension and promotes recovery circulation
- Stretching for cramps: gentle, gradual stretching of the cramped muscle — effective at stopping the cramp by inhibiting the myotatic reflex — see our page on muscle cramps
- Contraindications to stretching: recent muscle strain (risk of aggravating the tear), acute inflammation, joint hypermobility — consult a physical therapist if pain persists
- Tomaintain muscular balance, stretching shortened muscles should be combined with strengthening weak antagonist muscles
