Strength expression is highly movement-specific, but in untrained individuals, neuromuscular adaptation from compound movements can produce greater strength gains in target movements than direct practice due to enhanced motor unit recruitment and coordination.

1 min readUpdated June 3, 2026

What the Evidence Shows

We analyzed the available evidence and found that 48 studies or assertions support the idea that strength expression is highly movement-specific, but in people who haven’t trained before, compound movements like squats or deadlifts can lead to bigger strength gains in target movements than...

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (0)
No supporting evidence found
Contradicting (0)
No contradicting evidence found
Primary Studies (2)

The increase in muscle force after 4 weeks of strength training is mediated by adaptations in motor unit recruitment and rate coding

DOI: 10.1113/JP277250

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

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