What is the primary cause of strength gains in novice athletes?

The primary cause of strength gains in novice athletes is improved neuromuscular functioning. At the beginning of a resistance training program, the body undergoes adaptations that enhance the efficiency and coordination of neural pathways involved in muscle contraction. This includes increased motor unit recruitment, improved synchronization of muscle fibers, and enhanced rate coding, which together lead to greater force production.

In novice athletes, the experience of learning motor patterns and the body's adaptation to new movement demands play a crucial role. As they become more skilled at executing movements and their central nervous system adjusts to these exercises, they typically see notable strength improvements even before significant muscle hypertrophy occurs. This neurological adaptation is often significant enough to overshadow other potential contributing factors like muscle growth or endurance improvements in the early stages of training.