Doing squats with both legs on a special machine for six weeks made the outer thigh and outer calf muscles grow more than doing single-leg lunges.

Scientific Claim

Six weeks of bilateral eccentric-overload training using a flywheel device is associated with greater increases in vastus lateralis + vastus intermedius (9.98%) and lateral gastrocnemius (9.09%) muscle volume compared to unilateral training in young male team sport athletes, indicating bilateral movements may preferentially load lateral quadriceps and calf musculature.

Original Statement

“The BG obtained an increase of vastus lateralis (+9.9%) and lateral gastrocnemius (+9.1%) higher than UG.”

From study:The effects of unilateral and bilateral eccentric overload training on hypertrophy, muscle power and COD performance, and its determinants, in team sport players

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

overstated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The authors imply causation by stating the training 'obtained' greater increases, but without confirmed randomization, only associations can be claimed.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

The effects of unilateral and bilateral eccentric overload training on hypertrophy, muscle power and COD performance, and its determinants, in team sport players

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2018

The study found that doing squats with both legs at once made the outer thigh and calf muscles grow more than doing lunges with one leg at a time, just like the claim said.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

The effects of unilateral and bilateral eccentric overload training on hypertrophy, muscle power and COD performance, and its determinants, in team sport players

Score: 46

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193841

Similar Assertions

Doing single-leg lunges with a special machine for six weeks made the inner thigh and inner knee muscles grow more than doing regular squats with both legs.

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Single-leg lunges helped athletes slow down better with their weaker leg after turning, more than double-leg squats did.

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