In one study, drop sets made the upper and middle parts of the thigh muscle grow more than regular sets, suggesting they might target certain muscle areas better.
Scientific Claim
Drop set training may lead to greater regional hypertrophy in the proximal and middle portions of the rectus femoris muscle compared to traditional training, as evidenced by a time × group interaction effect in one within-subject study (Varović et al., n=16).
Original Statement
“There was also a time × group effect at the proximal and middle parts of the rectus femoris, favoring the drop set.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The claim is based on a single within-subject study with a significant interaction effect. The language 'may lead' appropriately reflects limited evidence and avoids overgeneralization.
More Accurate Statement
“Drop set training may be associated with greater regional hypertrophy in the proximal and middle portions of the rectus femoris muscle compared to traditional training, as evidenced by a time × group interaction effect in one within-subject study (Varović et al., n=16).”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
Effects of Drop Sets on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
This big review looked at many studies and found that drop sets don’t make muscles grow bigger overall than regular workouts, and they didn’t even check if certain parts of muscles grow more—so it doesn’t support the claim about the thigh muscle growing differently.