The Claim

Women who did any kind of upper-body strength training ended up with thicker biceps than women who didn’t train their upper body at all.

Source: Drop set versus traditional strength training protocols equated in volume on muscle thickness in women

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
38score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Description
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Women who did any kind of upper-body strength training ended up with thicker biceps than women who didn’t train their upper body at all.

See the scientific wording

Both drop-set and traditional strength training protocols result in greater muscle thickness in the elbow flexors compared to no upper-body training in young women after 12 weeks of intervention.

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Drop set versus traditional strength training protocols equated in volume on muscle thickness in women

    Both ways of lifting weights—drop-set and traditional—made the biceps of young women thicker after 12 weeks, but the group that didn’t train their upper body didn’t get any thicker. So yes, both training methods work better than doing nothing.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.