Compound lower-body exercises performed through a full range of motion (e.g., squats) induce greater hypertrophy in the distal regions of mono-articular quadriceps muscles (e.g., vastus lateralis) compared to isolation exercises, likely due to training at longer muscle lengths.
What the Evidence Shows
We analyzed the available evidence and found that 53 studies or assertions support the idea that compound lower-body exercises like squats, done through a full range of motion, lead to more muscle growth in the lower parts of the vastus lateralis — one of the quadriceps muscles — compared to...
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
No supporting evidence found
Contradicting (0)
No contradicting evidence found
Primary Studies (3)
Which ROMs Lead to Rome? A Systematic Review of the Effects of Range of Motion on Muscle Hypertrophy
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004415
Comparison of Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength Adaptations Induced by Back Squat and Leg Extension Resistance Exercises.
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005338
Exercise speed and workload effects on muscle hypoxia in vastus lateralis muscle during squatting exercises
DOI: 10.55860/knxz7210
Update History
Published
June 3, 2026·Last updated June 3, 2026- Invalid DateNew topic created from assertion