Final answer:
The right statement is False. Hypertrophic factors are not primarily responsible for strength gains in children; the statement is false. Children's strength gains are mainly due to neurological adaptations, not muscle hypertrophy, which becomes more significant after hormonal changes during puberty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypertrophic factors are not primarily responsible for strength gains in children. Instead, neurological factors play a more significant role during their growth. As explained in various biology resources, muscle strength in children is largely influenced by the increase in coordination and recruitment of muscle fibers by the nervous system, rather than hypertrophy, which refers to the increase in muscle size. During the pubertal growth spurt, hormonal changes, such as increased levels of testosterone and estrogen, contribute to strength gains as they promote hypertrophy. However, in prepubescent children, who have lower levels of these hormones, strength gains are primarily a result of neurological adaptations rather than muscle hypertrophy.
Muscle hypertrophy is a process that generally occurs through increased use of muscles or hormonal influences. Hormones such as growth hormone (GH) and thyroid hormones, including thyroxine, stimulate bone growth and muscle mass increases, while sex hormones contribute further during puberty. Resistance training can lead to hypertrophy by increasing the production of sarcomeres and myofibrils within muscle fibers, resulting in increased mass and overall muscle strength.