The Study
Effect of constitutive inactivation of the myostatin gene on the gain in muscle strength during postnatal growth in two murine models
This study looked at mice with a changed gene and noticed their muscles were stronger in some ways, but also weaker in others. It didn't prove the gene change caused those changes—it just saw a pattern in a few mice.
Analysis score
Maximum 72 for a cohort study.
Where the score came from
Scientists made mice without the myostatin gene, which made their muscles bigger, but when they tested how strong each tiny bit of muscle was, it was actually weaker.
Where does this study sit?
Systematic Reviews & Meta-analyses
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control
Max 58Cross-Sectional
Max 44Case Reports & Series
Max 30Expert Opinion
Max 58 / 100
Quality score
Groups of people are followed over time to see who develops an outcome. Strong for identifying risk factors and associations, but cannot prove causation as firmly as RCTs.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1For humans, this suggests that making muscles bigger by blocking myostatin might not make you stronger per pound of muscle — and could even make you less efficient.
- 2Muscles got bigger and could lift more total weight, but each gram of muscle produced less force and power — except in female Grobet mice, where muscle strength per gram stayed normal.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Muscle & Nerve
Year
2017
Authors
A. Stantzou, Vanessa Ueberschlag-Pitiot, R. Thomasson, Denis Furling, A. Bonnieu, Helge Amthor, Arnaud Ferry
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.