In untrained individuals, compound movements can improve performance on isolation movements due to enhanced neuromuscular coordination, overriding the specificity principle; however, in trained individuals, strength gains are highly movement-specific.
What the Evidence Shows
We analyzed the available evidence and found that in untrained individuals, compound movements like squats and deadlifts can lead to improvements in isolation movements like leg extensions or bicep curls, likely due to better neuromuscular coordination — the body’s ability to recruit and control...
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
No supporting evidence found
Contradicting (0)
No contradicting evidence found
Primary Studies (2)
Minimal Role of Hamstring Hypertrophy in Strength Transfer Between Nordic Hamstring and Stiff-Leg Deadlift: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
DOI: 10.1101/2024.12.17.24319207
Comparison of Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength Adaptations Induced by Back Squat and Leg Extension Resistance Exercises.
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005338
Update History
Published
June 3, 2026·Last updated June 3, 2026- Invalid DateNew topic created from assertion