The Claim
Full-range-of-motion resistance training causes greater hypertrophy in the quadriceps and adductor/gluteal muscles of young, untrained men compared to partial-range-of-motion resistance training, as evidenced by MRI-measured increases in muscle volume of 6.2% versus 2.7% for adductors and 6.7% versus 2.2% for gluteus maximus, indicating that complete joint excursion enhances muscle growth in key lower-body movers.
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.
If you lift weights through a full movement range—like squatting all the way down and up—you’ll build bigger leg muscles than if you only half-squat, especially if you’re new to lifting and male.
See the scientific wording
Full-range-of-motion resistance training causes greater hypertrophy in the quadriceps and adductor/gluteal muscles of young, untrained men compared to partial-range training, as demonstrated by MRI-measured muscle volume increases of 6.2% vs. 2.7% for adductors and 6.7% vs. 2.2% for gluteus maximus, indicating that complete joint excursion enhances muscle growth in key lower-body movers.
What the research says
1 studyThis study looked at many different experiments and found that doing squats or leg exercises through a full movement range makes your leg muscles grow more than doing them only partway. So yes, full motion helps more.
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.