Pseudoathletic appearance
Pseudoathletic appearance is a medical sign meaning to have the false appearance of a well-trained athlete due to pathology instead of true athleticism. It is also referred to as a Herculean or bodybuilder-like appearance. The pathology may result in muscle inflammation (swelling), muscle hyperplasia, muscle hypertrophy, muscle pseudohypertrophy (infiltration of fat or other tissue), or symmetrical subcutaneous (under the skin) deposits of fat or other tissue.

The mechanism resulting in this sign may stay consistent or may change, while the sign itself remains. For instance, some individuals with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy may start with true muscle hypertrophy, but later develop into pseudohypertrophy.

Causes

Skeletal muscle

Skin and other non-muscle tissue

See also 
 Hyperplasia
 Muscle hypertrophy
 Pseudohypertrophy
 Shoulder pad sign

References

Further reading 
Large or prominent muscles - Neuromuscular disease centre, Washington University

Symptoms and signs: Nervous and musculoskeletal systems
Symptoms and signs: Skin and subcutaneous tissue
Musculoskeletal disorders