Analysis of skeletal muscle hypertrophy in models of increased loading.

Skeletal muscle is a highly adaptive tissue that modifies its size in response to a variety of external stimuli. In adult mammals, skeletal muscle hypertrophy occurs primarily as a response to increases in external loading. Here, we describe the methods that should be used for a comprehensive assessment of muscle hypertrophy in animal models. The methods include the measurement of muscle mass, fiber cross-sectional area, contractile function, and protein concentration.