Mixed
Longer-muscle length resistance training (LML-RT) may lead to greater increases in fascicle length (longitudinal hypertrophy) compared to shorter-muscle length resistance training (SML-RT), though evidence is mixed and methodologically limited.
Training at longer muscle lengths may help increase the length of your muscle fibers (fascicles), which can contribute to overall muscle size. However, current measurement methods are imperfect, so prioritize long-length training for overall hypertrophy rather than expecting specific longitudinal gains to be easily quantified.
Fascicle length increases generally appeared to be larger in the group/condition training at LML-RT than the group/condition training at SML-RT.
Why this rating
Most studies used linear extrapolation which has questionable validity; no studies directly measured serial sarcomere number changes.
Source
Does longer-muscle length resistance training cause greater longitudinal growth in humans? A systematic review
Milo Wolf et al. · Sports Medicine and Health Science · 2025
DOI 10.1016/j.smhs.2025.03.001
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