Using light weights until you're exhausted or slow builds your muscle stamina better than heavy weights, but doesn't make you as strong as lifting heavy weights.

Scientific Claim

Low-load resistance training to volitional failure or velocity fatigue results in greater chronic endurance gains but lower chronic strength gains compared to high-load resistance training at 80% 1RM.

Original Statement

“LVoF and LVeF RT triggered different responses to muscle function in comparison with HL training: LVoF and LVeF showed enhanced acute responses and greater chronic endurance gains, but lower chronic strength gains than HL”

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

RCT design supports causal inference, but absence of blinding and full statistical reporting justifies probabilistic language. The claim mirrors the abstract’s comparative language.

More Accurate Statement

“Low-load resistance training to volitional failure or velocity fatigue likely results in greater chronic endurance gains but lower chronic strength gains compared to high-load resistance training at 80% 1RM.”

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 lighter weights until you can’t do another rep gives you better endurance but less strength gain than lifting heavier weights — exactly what the claim says.

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

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.

80%

Whether you lift light weights many times or heavy weights fewer times—both can make you stronger in exercises like squats and deadlifts, as long as you push to exhaustion.

79%

If you lift heavy weights, you get better at doing more reps with heavy weights; if you lift light weights, you get better at doing more reps with light weights — your muscles adapt specifically to the weight you use.

78%

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.

76%

When you lift light weights until you can't go on or until you slow down, your muscles swell and your blood gets more acidic in the same way — meaning your body reacts similarly to both methods.

76%