Older studies showed bigger strength gains from weight training than newer ones, probably because today’s studies are better designed and less biased.
Scientific Claim
Resistance training studies with older publication dates report larger strength gains, likely due to methodological improvements and reduced bias in more recent trials, which may have attenuated effect sizes over time.
Original Statement
“Older studies accounted for the variation in muscle strength in the overall analysis (P = 0.021)... the larger effect found in the study by Anderson and Kearney also seems to be explained by the low-load resistance training prescription involving more repetitions...”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
probability
Can suggest probability/likelihood
Assessment Explanation
The claim is based on a statistically significant meta-regression result and is appropriately framed as a correlation with a plausible explanation, consistent with the study’s probabilistic verb guidelines.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
Resistance Training Load Effects on Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength Gain: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
This study looks at which weightlifting loads work best today, but it doesn’t compare old studies to new ones, so we can’t tell if older studies overreported gains.