Definition
Strength gains from your nervous system learning to recruit muscle fibers more efficiently, not from building bigger muscles. It's why beginners make huge strength gains before visible muscle appears, frustrating mirror-watchers everywhere.
Example Usage
His rapid strength increases in the first month were purely neural adaptation—his muscles hadn't actually grown yet.
Origin
From neuroscience and strength training research on motor learning
Fun Fact
Neural adaptations explain about 80% of strength gains in the first few weeks of training, which is why newbie gains are real but eventually plateau hard.
Source: Neuroscience and strength training research
Related Terms
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