If you're already experienced with lifting weights, doing drop sets (lowering the weight after failure) doesn't help you get stronger than doing regular sets, as long as you do the same total amount of work.

Scientific Claim

Drop-set training, when performed with equalized total volume for 8 weeks, does not result in significantly greater strength gains than traditional resistance training in resistance-trained males.

Original Statement

“No statistical differences in strength were observed between the other conditions.”

From study:Rest-pause and drop-set training elicit similar strength and hypertrophy adaptations compared to traditional sets in resistance-trained males.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

probability

Can suggest probability/likelihood

Assessment Explanation

The null result is statistically supported and appropriately framed as 'no difference.' Probability language is required due to small sample size and lack of blinding, even though causation is technically possible.

More Accurate Statement

“Drop-set training, when performed with equalized total volume for 8 weeks, is unlikely to result in significantly greater strength gains than traditional resistance training in resistance-trained males.”

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Rest-pause and drop-set training elicit similar strength and hypertrophy adaptations compared to traditional sets in resistance-trained males.

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2021 Nov

When people did drop-set workouts vs. regular workouts with the same total amount of lifting, both groups got equally strong — so drop-sets didn’t give any extra strength boost.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Rest-pause and drop-set training elicit similar strength and hypertrophy adaptations compared to traditional sets in resistance-trained males.

Score: 54

DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2021-0278

Similar Assertions

If you do the same total amount of work, using drop sets won’t make your muscles bigger or stronger than doing regular sets over two months.

93%

Doing drop sets (lifting heavy, then lighter weights without rest) builds strength just as well as doing regular sets with the same total weight, at least in young men who already lift weights.

86%

Drop sets don’t make you stronger than regular sets if you’re lifting moderate weights — but we don’t know if they’d work better or worse if you lifted really heavy weights.

82%

Even if you do the same total amount of work, drop sets don’t make your muscles grow more than regular sets — whether you match the weight lifted or not, the results are about the same.

81%

Drop set training enhances muscular endurance (repetition capacity at submaximal loads) to a greater extent than traditional resistance training protocols with matched volume.

80%