How does strength training impact body composition?

Strength training plays a significant role in improving body composition primarily by increasing lean muscle mass and decreasing body fat percentage. When individuals engage in strength training, they stimulate muscle hypertrophy, which is the growth of muscle fibers. This process not only enhances muscular strength and endurance but also raises the resting metabolic rate, meaning the body burns more calories even at rest.

As muscle mass increases, it contributes to a more favorable body composition by replacing fat mass with lean tissue. Additionally, strength training can lead to fat loss, especially when combined with a proper diet. This dual effect of muscle gain and fat loss is instrumental in improving overall body composition and achieving a healthier physique.

Other options suggest outcomes contrary to the established benefits of strength training. Decreasing muscle mass or having no effect on body composition does not accurately reflect the physiological impacts of resistance training. Moreover, implying that strength training primarily increases fat percentage contradicts the evidence of its effectiveness in promoting fat loss and muscle gain.