The Claim
Velocity-based back squat training with 20% velocity loss performed over 8 weeks results in similar increases in rectus femoris muscle thickness in male and female collegiate athletes with matched relative strength.
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.
After 8 weeks of velocity-based back squat training with 20% velocity loss, male and female collegiate athletes with similar relative strength gain the same amount of muscle thickness in the rectus femoris.
See the scientific wording
Velocity-based back squat training with 20% velocity loss for 8 weeks leads to similar increases in rectus femoris muscle thickness in both male and female collegiate athletes with matched relative strength, suggesting that muscle hypertrophy responses to this training protocol are not significantly influenced by sex.
When people squat with controlled speed and stop when they slow down by 20%, their thigh muscles stretch and pull hard under load. This pulling activates signals inside muscle cells that tell them to build more protein, making the muscle fibers thicker. This happens the same way in men and women if they start with the same strength level relative to their body size.
What the research says
1 studyWhen men and women with similar strength levels did the same squat training, their thigh muscles grew about the same amount, even though men got stronger and jumped higher, and women got faster at sprinting.
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.