Acute muscle pump-inducing training techniques (high repetitions, drop sets, constant tension) are not necessarily associated with greater long-term muscle hypertrophy compared to other training modalities.

Study: Crescent pyramid and drop-set systems do not promote greater strength gains, muscle hypertrophy, and changes on muscle architecture compared with traditional resistance training in well-trained men

This study compared three different weight training methods - traditional training, crescent pyramid (high reps with increasing weight), and drop sets (going to failure) - and found that all three produced the same amount of muscle growth (about 7.5-7.8% increase). This means using techniques that make your muscles feel pumped (like drop sets or high repetitions) doesn't necessarily give you more muscle in the long run compared to regular training.

Study: Equated volume load: similar improvements in muscle strength, endurance, and hypertrophy for traditional, pre-exhaustion, and drop sets in resistance training

Even if your muscles feel super swollen and pumped after a workout, that doesn’t mean they’ll grow bigger over time—what really matters is how much total work you do, not how much they burn or swell during the set.