The Claim
In postmenopausal women, performing 3 sets versus 6 sets of resistance training per exercise results in no significant difference in gains in lower-body strength, as measured by 1RM leg press and leg extension after 12 weeks of supervised training.
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.
For postmenopausal women, doing three sets or six sets of leg exercises during strength training leads to about the same improvement in leg strength after 12 weeks.
See the scientific wording
In postmenopausal women, resistance training volume does not significantly influence gains in lower-body strength, as both 3 and 6 sets per exercise produce similar increases in 1RM leg press and leg extension after 12 weeks of supervised training.
When older women lift weights, their muscles get bigger with more sets, but their strength doesn’t increase beyond a certain point because their nervous system can’t recruit more muscle fibers than it already does with fewer sets. The body reaches a limit in how much it can activate the muscles during a maximal effort, so even though the muscles are larger, they can’t produce more force.
What the research says
1 studyFor older women, doing three or six sets of leg exercises each workout led to the same strength gains after 12 weeks—more sets built more muscle, but not stronger legs.
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.