The Claim

In untrained men, resistance training performed to concentric muscle failure at 70% one-repetition maximum over 8 weeks produces medium effect size gains in muscle strength (ES: 0.43–0.57) and muscle cross-sectional area (ES: 0.29–0.53), regardless of whether repetition duration is self-selected or controlled.

Source: Effects of resistance training with controlled versus self-selected repetition duration on muscle mass and strength in untrained men

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
62score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In untrained men, performing resistance training to muscle failure at 70% of maximum strength for 8 weeks results in measurable increases in muscle strength and muscle size, whether the pace of each repetition is chosen by the person or fixed by a protocol.

See the scientific wording

In untrained men, resistance training performed to concentric muscle failure at 70% one-repetition maximum produces medium effect size gains in muscle strength (ES: 0.43–0.57) and muscle cross-sectional area (ES: 0.29–0.53) over 8 weeks, regardless of whether repetition duration is self-selected or controlled.

Why this might work

Lifting weights until muscle failure creates strong pulling forces and builds up waste products in the muscle, which signals the body to build more muscle tissue and improve how well nerves activate the muscle.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Effects of resistance training with controlled versus self-selected repetition duration on muscle mass and strength in untrained men

    For beginners, lifting weights until you can't do another rep at a moderate weight makes you stronger and builds muscle, whether you lift fast or slow — the study proved both ways work just as well.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

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