The Claim
In advanced male judo athletes, six weeks of bilateral or unilateral dumbbell curl training performed twice weekly increases muscle thickness and maximal isometric force in the elbow flexors, irrespective of whether the training involves light-load ballistic contractions to repetition failure, heavy-load contractions to repetition failure, or light-load ballistic contractions without reaching repetition failure, suggesting that these resistance training modalities can enhance muscle size and isometric strength during in-season training periods.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
If elite male judo guys do bicep curls with dumbbells twice a week for six weeks—whether they go super fast with light weights, lift heavy until they can’t anymore, or go fast without pushing to failure—their biceps still get thicker and stronger, even during their competition season.
See the scientific wording
In advanced male judo athletes, 6 weeks of unilateral dumbbell curl training performed two times per week increases muscle thickness and maximal isometric force in the elbow flexors, regardless of whether the training uses light-load ballistic contractions to repetition failure, heavy-load contractions to repetition failure, or light-load ballistic contractions without reaching repetition failure, indicating that these resistance training modalities can enhance muscle size and isometric strength during in-season training.
When elite judo athletes do bicep curls with light or heavy weights, even if they don’t go all the way to exhaustion, the pulling force on the muscle fibers and the buildup of metabolic byproducts signal the muscle to grow thicker and stronger — this is shown in 10.1371/journal.pone.0307841 where all training styles improved muscle size and force output.
What the research says
1 studyEven if elite judo fighters do bicep curls with light weights fast, heavy weights slow, or light weights without going all the way to exhaustion, their biceps still got thicker and stronger after six weeks—so all three ways worked.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.