The Study
The effect of velocity-based strength training on lower limb maximal strength, power, and muscle thickness: a comparative study of sex-specific adaptations
This study watched two groups of athletes train and saw that boys got stronger in squats and jumps, while girls got faster at sprinting. But because we don’t know if they were randomly assigned to groups, we can’t say the training made the difference — maybe the boys were already better at jumping to begin with.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Boys and girls who are equally strong for their body size did the same squat workout for 8 weeks — and both got stronger, faster, and their thigh muscles grew. But boys got much better at jumping and lifting heavy weights, while girls got much better at sprinting short distances.
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 559 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — these changes are meaningful for athletes: bigger strength/jump gains help in sports like football or basketball; faster sprinting helps in soccer or track.
- 2Boys: 23.5% stronger in squat, 17.7% higher jump.
- 3Girls: 17.4% faster in 30-meter sprint.
- 4Both: thigh muscle grew about the same amount.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Frontiers in Physiology
Year
2026
Authors
Longkang Guo, Lintao Suo, Wendong Xue, Jingyuan Yang, Xuehaiyue Lv, Haonan Qi, Mushuai Hao, Liang Zhao, Xiaofu Yang, Wei Han
Related Content
Claims (6)
After 8 weeks of velocity-based back squat training with 20% velocity loss, male and female collegiate athletes with similar relative strength gain the same amount of muscle thickness in the rectus femoris.
After 8 weeks of velocity-based back squat training with matched relative strength, female collegiate athletes improved their 30-meter sprint times by 17.41% more than male collegiate athletes.
Eight weeks of velocity-based strength training with a 20% velocity loss threshold increases lower-limb maximal strength, explosive power, sprint speed, and muscle thickness in collegiate athletes of both sexes.
After 8 weeks of a specific strength training program using velocity-based back squats, both male and female collegiate athletes improved their leg strength, jumping ability, sprint speed, and thigh muscle thickness. Men gained more in strength and vertical jump, while women gained more in short sprint performance.
After 8 weeks of velocity-based squat training with matched relative strength, male collegiate athletes gain more strength and jumping power than female collegiate athletes.
Resistance training leads to an increase in muscle size and enhanced muscle performance.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.