Resistance Training with Long-Length Partial Range of Motion Repetitions are Equally as Effective for Hypertrophy as Full Range of Motion Repetitions: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

Background and/or Objectives: Adaptations to resistance training are paramount to longevity, quality of life, and rehabilitation from injury or operation. The efficacy of using long-length partial range of motion (LLpROM) repetitions for hypertrophy compared to full range of motion repetitions (fROM) has been debated and confounded due to study design. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of LLpROM versus fROM on muscle hypertrophy.

Design: A systematic review and meta analysis following PRISMA 2020 guidelines was performed to determine how much each resistance training method contributes to hypertrophy while standardizing total volume in prospective RCT’s.

Setting : Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Participants : All participants were healthy individuals.

Interventions: Long-length partial range of motion repetitions, Full range of motion repetitions, Resistance training.

Main Outcome Measures: Muscle hypertrophy.

Results: Five randomized controlled trials comprising n = 168 healthy subjects were included. Subgroup analysis of homogeneity demonstrated no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.99). The LLpROM group had a large improvement in hypertrophy compared to baseline (p = 0.01, Cohen's D = 0.94 [0.24, 1.64], I2 = 77%) equivalent to the fROM group (p = 0.01, Cohen's D = 0.94 [0.21, 1.66], I2 = 79%).

Conclusions: In randomized controlled trials that matched for time under tension, total increases in hypertrophy following resistance training intervention with LLpROM vs fROM were found to be the exact same. LLpROM is an equally effective strategy to promote hypertrophy as fROM resistance training with applications in injury rehabilitation and sports performance.