Science
Plain-language summaries of strength-training research, each reviewed before it is published.
Educational summaries of published research, not medical advice.
How strong is each kind of study?
- StrongestMeta-analyses and systematic reviews pool many studies, so one odd result carries less weight.
- StrongRandomised controlled trials assign people to groups at random, which is the best way to test cause and effect.
- ModerateObservational studies watch people without changing what they do. They show links, not proof of cause.
- WeakestNarrative reviews are expert overviews without a systematic search, so they can reflect the authors' picks.
A single study is one piece of evidence. Look for findings that hold up across several.