The Study
High force development augments skeletal muscle signalling in resistance exercise modes equalized for time under tension
This study is like taking snapshots of what happens inside muscles after different exercises. It shows us what things look like at different times, but it can't tell us if one exercise actually causes better results than another long-term.
Analysis score
Maximum 44 for a cross-sectional study.
Where the score came from
When people lift weights really hard for a short time, it sends stronger 'grow muscle' signals than when they do easier lifts for longer.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 538 / 100
Quality score
Snapshots of a population at a single point in time, or descriptions of small groups. Can identify correlations and prevalence, but cannot determine cause and effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes, this suggests maximum effort strength training may be more effective for muscle growth
- 2The hardest exercise made 7+ muscle growth signals much stronger than easier exercises
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology
Year
2014
Authors
S. Gehlert, F. Suhr, K. Gutsche, L. Willkomm, Julia P. Kern, D. Jacko, A. Knicker, T. Schiffer, H. Wackerhage, W. Bloch
Related Content
Claims (6)
When you lift weights, how hard you push or pull (the force) matters more for muscle growth signals than how long you hold the weight, based on comparing workouts that take the same time but use different amounts of force.
When young men do a specific type of hard weight training that focuses on lowering weights slowly, it triggers more muscle-building signals in their bodies compared to other common workout styles, even if the workout time is the same.
When young men do one set of really tiring weightlifting, it gives the smallest boost to muscle-building signals right after exercise, compared to doing max-stretch moves or multiple sets that take the same total time.
When young men do a certain type of tough exercise, their fast-twitch muscle fibers show more chemical changes than other fibers, which means different muscle types react differently to hard workouts.
When young men do a specific type of hard strength training, their bodies send strong signals to build muscle for hours afterward.
Lifting lighter weights many times in a row might help grow certain slow-twitch muscles better because they stay working longer.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.