The Claim
High-intensity resistance training at 90% one-repetition maximum improves relative strength (strength per unit of body mass) to a greater extent than moderate-intensity resistance training at 80% one-repetition maximum in male academy soccer players, despite equivalent gains in absolute strength.
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.
Male academy soccer players who train with heavy weights at 90% of their maximum strength gain more strength relative to their body weight than those who train with moderate weights at 80% of their maximum, even though both groups gain the same amount of total strength.
See the scientific wording
High-intensity resistance training (90% 1RM) improves relative strength (strength per body mass) more than moderate-intensity training (80% 1RM) in male academy soccer players, despite similar absolute strength gains.
Lifting very heavy weights forces the body to activate more muscle fibers at once and fire them faster, making the muscles produce more force without getting bigger. This allows a person to lift more relative to their body weight.
What the research says
1 studyTeenage soccer players who lifted heavier weights (90% of their max) got stronger relative to their body weight more than those who lifted lighter weights (80% of their max), even though both groups got equally stronger in absolute terms. So, heavy squats made them more powerful for their size.
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.