What does the term "overload" refer to in weight training?

The term "overload" in weight training refers specifically to the principle of progressively increasing the resistance or difficulty of an exercise in order to stimulate muscle growth and adaptation. When individuals subject their muscles to greater demands than what they are accustomed to, they encourage their muscles to grow stronger and larger to meet these increased demands. This may involve lifting heavier weights, increasing the number of repetitions, or adjusting the intensity of workouts over time. The overload principle is fundamental to strength training and bodybuilding, as it directly contributes to muscle hypertrophy and overall improvements in physical performance.

Using lighter weights than usual would not create the necessary stimulus for muscle adaptation and growth; instead, it would allow the muscles to recover or potentially detraining. Similarly, resting longer between sets may be beneficial for recovery but does not in itself constitute an overload; it's simply a strategy to optimize performance or recovery. Focusing solely on cardiovascular exercises does not pertain to the concept of overload in relation to weight training, as cardiovascular exercises and resistance training target different aspects of fitness and muscle development.