Research

Mixed

Longer-muscle length resistance training (LML-RT) produces greater longitudinal hypertrophy (fascicle length increases) and overall muscle size compared to shorter-muscle length resistance training (SML-RT).

To maximize muscle growth, especially in terms of muscle length (fascicle length), prioritize exercises that allow you to train at longer muscle lengths (e.g., deep squats, overhead extensions). While shorter-range training can build muscle, training through a fuller or lengthened range of motion appears to offer a superior hypertrophic advantage, particularly for longitudinal growth.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Our results suggest that both muscle size and fascicle length increases may be greater following LML-RT versus SML-RT, suggesting LML-RT may lead to greater longitudinal hypertrophy than SML-RT.
Milo Wolf et al. · 2024

Why this rating

The review includes 8 studies with mixed results and notes methodological limitations (e.g., linear extrapolation of fascicle length).

Source

Does longer-muscle length resistance training cause greater longitudinal growth in humans?

Milo Wolf et al. · 2024

DOI 10.51224/srxiv.423

systematic_review · n=120Cited 3×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →