Used in training programs to increase muscular strength. The concept whereby a person gradually increases the resistance load on muscles.
The overload principle states that muscle growth will not occur unless the muscle is stressed at a level beyond normal loads. Thus, for resistance training to be effective in increasing lean body mass, the exercises performed must provide an adequate threshold of resistance before significant growth will occur.
Exercise principle that states that a physiological system or organ of the body repeatedly subjected to greater than normal stress will adapt to the stress. A proper amount of overload results in positive adaptations.