Whether your preacher curls are hardest at the start or end, you still get just as strong in the middle and fully bent positions after 10 weeks.
Scientific Claim
Training with either cable or barbell preacher curls produces similar strength gains at 60° and 100° of elbow flexion in young, untrained adults, despite differing torque profiles, suggesting that strength adaptations at mid- and end-range positions are not uniquely dependent on peak torque location during training.
Original Statement
“For elbow flexion peak torque at 60°, significant increases were observed for both CAB (pre = 32 ± 12 Nm, post = 40 ± 12 Nm; ES = 0.73; +27%) and BAR (pre = 30 ± 12 Nm, post = 39 ± 14 Nm; ES = 0.79; +32%), without significant difference between them (p = 0.874). For elbow flexion peak torque at 100°, significant increases were observed for both CAB (pre = 31 ± 11 Nm, post = 36 ± 11 Nm; ES = 0.54; +17%) and BAR (pre = 26 ± 9 Nm, post = 32 ± 8 Nm; ES = 0.52; +20%), without significant difference between them (p = 0.728).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The RCT design supports causal claims. The lack of difference is statistically non-significant and reported with precise effect sizes and p-values, matching the data without overinterpretation.
Gold Standard Evidence Needed
According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.
Systematic Review & Meta-AnalysisLevel 1aWhether torque emphasis at one joint angle leads to similar strength gains at adjacent angles across multiple exercises and populations.
Whether torque emphasis at one joint angle leads to similar strength gains at adjacent angles across multiple exercises and populations.
What This Would Prove
Whether torque emphasis at one joint angle leads to similar strength gains at adjacent angles across multiple exercises and populations.
Ideal Study Design
A meta-analysis of RCTs comparing resistance training with torque emphasis at short vs. long muscle lengths, measuring isokinetic strength at multiple joint angles (e.g., 20°, 60°, 100°), including at least 10 studies with n≥20 per group and standardized protocols.
Limitation: Cannot isolate neural vs. muscular contributions to cross-angle adaptations.
Randomized Controlled TrialLevel 1bIn EvidenceCausal effect of torque placement on strength gains at non-trained joint angles.
Causal effect of torque placement on strength gains at non-trained joint angles.
What This Would Prove
Causal effect of torque placement on strength gains at non-trained joint angles.
Ideal Study Design
A double-blind RCT of 60 healthy adults aged 18–30, randomized to 12 weeks of either cable (peak torque at 100°) or barbell (peak torque at 20°) preacher curls, with isokinetic torque measured at 10°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 110° at baseline and post-intervention, controlling for volume and intensity.
Limitation: Limited to elbow flexors and young adults; cannot generalize to other joints or trained individuals.
Prospective Cohort StudyLevel 2bLong-term association between training method and strength gains at non-targeted joint angles.
Long-term association between training method and strength gains at non-targeted joint angles.
What This Would Prove
Long-term association between training method and strength gains at non-targeted joint angles.
Ideal Study Design
A 1-year cohort tracking 150 gym-goers who consistently use either barbell or cable preacher curls as their primary biceps exercise, measuring elbow flexion strength at 20°, 60°, and 100° every 3 months while recording training logs.
Limitation: Cannot control for confounding variables like other exercises or nutrition.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Placing Greater Torque at Shorter or Longer Muscle Lengths? Effects of Cable vs. Barbell Preacher Curl Training on Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy in Young Adults