Compound lower-body exercises performed through a full range of motion induce greater hypertrophy in the vastus lateralis near the distal tendon insertion due to increased mechanical tension at longer muscle lengths.

We analyzed the available evidence and found that 61 studies or assertions support the idea that compound lower-body exercises done through a full range of motion may lead to more muscle growth in the vastus lateralis near the bottom of the thigh, close to where the tendon connects to the knee....