Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Strength training. Single versus multiple sets

R N Carpinelli1, R M Otto

  • 1Human Performance Laboratory, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York, USA.

Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|October 20, 1998
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Science versus opinion.

British journal of sports medicine·2004
Same author

Berger in retrospect: effect of varied weight training programmes on strength.

British journal of sports medicine·2002
Same author

Potential health-related benefits of resistance training.

Preventive medicine·2001
Same author

Examining the validity of exercise guidelines for the prevention of morbidity and all-cause mortality.

Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine·2000
Same author

Exercise intensity and risk of chronic disease.

JAMA·2000
Same author

Exercise regimens for men with HIV.

JAMA·2000
Same journal

Re-establishing Confidence in Confidence Intervals: An Evaluation of Recent Practices in Sport Injury Epidemiology.

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)·2026
Same journal

Reliable Change of Blood-Based Biomarkers Following Acute Sport-Related Concussion: A CARE Consortium Study.

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)·2026
Same journal

Polygenic Score Identifies Athletes at Increased Risk for Slower Recovery After Sport-Related Concussion: A Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium Study.

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)·2026
Same journal

Precision Exercise for Breast Cancer-Related Outcomes: Towards Personalised Training Based on Tumour, Treatment and Patient Characteristics.

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)·2026
Same journal

Factors Influencing Consultant Knee Surgeons' Decision Making in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury Management in Athletes: An International Delphi Study.

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)·2026
Same journal

Systemic Degree of Perturbation of Plasma Markers Reveals Cumulative Biological Stress Across the Competitive Season in Professional Soccer Players.

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)·2026
See all related articles

For optimal muscle strength and hypertrophy, evidence suggests that performing a single set per exercise is as effective as multiple sets. This challenges the common belief that more sets are always better for strength training gains.

Area of Science:

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Sports Science
  • Musculoskeletal Adaptations

Background:

  • A common belief in strength training is that multiple sets (≥3) are necessary for optimal muscle strength and hypertrophy.
  • This belief is widespread despite limited empirical support from scientific literature.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the scientific evidence comparing the efficacy of single-set versus multiple-set strength training programs.
  • To determine if higher training volumes are superior for increasing muscular strength and hypertrophy.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies comparing single-set and multiple-set training protocols.
  • Analysis of studies with training durations ranging from 4 to 25 weeks.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • The preponderance of evidence indicates no significant difference in strength or hypertrophy gains between single-set and multiple-set training over 4-25 weeks.
  • Limited scientific evidence and no clear physiological basis support the notion that greater exercise volume leads to superior strength or hypertrophy.

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence does not substantiate the requirement for multiple sets for maximizing strength and hypertrophy.
  • Low-volume, time-efficient training protocols may be as effective as higher-volume programs, offering practical applications for individuals seeking efficient workouts.