The Claim
Doing leg extensions one leg at a time for 12 weeks makes each leg stronger and more active when tested alone, better than doing both legs together — even though both methods improve overall leg strength similarly.
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.
Doing leg extensions one leg at a time for 12 weeks makes each leg stronger and more active when tested alone, better than doing both legs together — even though both methods improve overall leg strength similarly.
See the scientific wording
Twelve weeks of unilateral knee extension training in young, recreationally active women increases unilateral isometric strength by 21.4% and muscle electrical activity in the quadriceps by 39.9%, significantly more than bilateral training, which shows only 10.3% and 12.0% increases, respectively, indicating that unilateral training specifically enhances neural activation and strength in the trained limb.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Neuromuscular Adaptations to Unilateral vs. Bilateral Strength Training in Women
This study found that training one leg at a time made that leg stronger and more electrically active than training both legs together, which is exactly what the claim says.
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.