American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Resistance Training Prescription for Muscle Function, Hypertrophy, and Physical Performance in Healthy Adults: An Overview of Reviews.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Overview of systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 41843416 · doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000003897
What was done
This overview of reviews searched six databases (MEDLINE, Emcare, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science Core Collection) through October 2024 to update the 2009 ACSM Position Stand. Eligible systematic reviews synthesized randomized trials of healthy adults (aged ≥18 years) who completed resistance training (RT) for 6 to 52 weeks compared to no exercise or an alternative RT program, reporting changes in muscle function, size, or physical performance.
What was found
The review synthesized data from 137 systematic reviews (>30,000 participants). The abstract provides no quantitative effect sizes or confidence intervals, but reports these directional outcomes: - RT significantly improved muscle strength, size (hypertrophy), power, endurance, contraction velocity, gait speed, balance, and physical function compared to no exercise. - Strength was enhanced by loads ≥80% one-repetition maximum (1RM), complete range of motion, 2–3 sets, performing exercises at the beginning of sessions, and training frequency ≥2 sessions/week. - Hypertrophy was enhanced by higher volumes (≥10 sets/week) and eccentric overload. - Power was enhanced by moderate loads (30%–70% 1RM), low-to-moderate volume (≤24 repetitions·sets), Olympic-style weightlifting, and fast concentric phase RT. - Training to momentary muscle fatigue, equipment type, exercise complexity, set structure, time under tension, blood flow restriction, and periodization did not consistently impact training outcomes.
Why it matters
This umbrella review updates foundational exercise prescription guidelines by identifying the specific training variables that drive strength, hypertrophy, and power adaptations in healthy adults.
Limits
The abstract reports directional summaries without quantitative effect sizes, variance measures, or statistical test results. Primary study overlap across the 137 included reviews is not detailed in the abstract, and conclusions apply only to healthy adults across 6 to 52-week interventions.
Cited by
- supports Brad Schoenfeld has published over 300 studies in the field of exercise and sports nutrition.