Lifting light weights until you can't do another rep builds muscle just as well as lifting light weights until your speed slows down a lot, as long as you do the same total amount of work.

Scientific Claim

Low-load resistance training to volitional failure induces muscle hypertrophy similar to low-load resistance training to velocity fatigue when work volume is matched, suggesting that both methods can effectively stimulate muscle growth under these conditions.

Original Statement

“low-load RT to volitional failure induces muscle hypertrophy similar to volume-matched velocity fatigue”

From study:Low-Load Resistance Training to Volitional Failure Induces Muscle Hypertrophy Similar to Volume-Matched, Velocity Fatigue

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

probability

Can suggest probability/likelihood

Assessment Explanation

The study is an RCT with randomization, justifying causal language, but lack of blinding and full methodological detail warrant probabilistic phrasing. 'Induces...similar to' is appropriately tempered.

More Accurate Statement

“Low-load resistance training to volitional failure likely induces muscle hypertrophy similar to low-load resistance training to velocity fatigue when work volume is matched.”

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Low-Load Resistance Training to Volitional Failure Induces Muscle Hypertrophy Similar to Volume-Matched, Velocity Fatigue

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2022 Jun 1

This study found that lifting light weights until you can't do another rep gives you the same muscle growth as lifting light weights until your speed slows down by 20%, as long as you do the same total amount of work.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Low-Load Resistance Training to Volitional Failure Induces Muscle Hypertrophy Similar to Volume-Matched, Velocity Fatigue

Score: 41

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003690

Similar Assertions

Whether you lift light weights with lots of reps or heavy weights with few reps—so long as you push until you can’t do another rep—you’ll build muscle about the same amount.

89%

Whether you lift heavy weights with fewer reps or light weights with more reps—as long as you push until you can’t do another rep—your muscles grow about the same amount.

85%

When you train hard enough to fail on every set, how heavy the weights are matters less than your body’s natural ability to grow muscle.

83%

If you train hard enough to fail on every set, how heavy the weights are matters less than your body’s natural ability to grow muscle.

83%

Whether you lift heavy weights for fewer reps or light weights for more reps—as long as you push until you can’t do another rep—your muscles grow about the same amount.

83%