ArticleSports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)2022
Longing for a Longitudinal Proxy: Acutely Measured Surface EMG Amplitude is not a Validated Predictor of Muscle Hypertrophy.
Article in Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 43 citations in OpenAlex.
- Addressing Shoulder Weakness in Individuals With Rotator Cuff-Related Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis.The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy · 2026Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Comparison of Muscle Growth and Dynamic Strength Adaptations Induced by Unilateral and Bilateral Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2025Pooled it
- Myoelectric activity during electromagnetic resistance alone and in combination with variable resistance or eccentric overload.Scientific reports · 2023Trial
- Hypertrophic Effects of Single- versus Multi-Joint Exercise: A Direct Comparison between Knee Extension and Leg Press.Medicine and science in sports and exercise · 2026Article
- Effects of High-Velocity Elbow Manipulation on Forearm Muscle Electromyographic Recovery in Karting Drivers: A Randomized Within-Participant Sham-Controlled Trial.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Effect of foot position during plantarflexion on the neural drive to the gastrocnemii in runners with Achilles tendinopathy.European journal of applied physiology · 2025Article
- Optimizing Resistance Training Technique to Maximize Muscle Hypertrophy: A Narrative Review.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2023Review
- Effect of free-weight vs. machine-based strength training on maximal strength, hypertrophy and jump performance - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation · 2023Article
- Physiological Responses and Adaptations to Lower Load Resistance Training: Implications for Health and Performance.Sports medicine - open · 2023Review
- Hip thrust and back squat training elicit similar gluteus muscle hypertrophy and transfer similarly to the deadlift.Frontiers in physiology · 2023Article
- Side-To-Side Difference in Electromyographic Activity of Abdominal Muscles during Asymmetric Exercises.Journal of sports science & medicine · 2022Article
- Looped Elastic Resistance during Squats: How Do Band Position and Stiffness Affect Hip Myoelectric Activity?Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2022Article
- Front vs Back and Barbell vs Machine Overhead Press: An Electromyographic Analysis and Implications For Resistance Training.Frontiers in physiology · 2022Article
- Not all Forms of Muscle Hypertonia Worsen With Fatigue: A Pilot Study in Para Swimmers.Frontiers in physiology · 2022Article
- Article
- Prediction of Biceps Muscle Electromyogram Signal Using a NARX Neural Network.Journal of medical signals and sensorsArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 4 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
Abstract
Surface electromyography amplitudes are commonly measured in acute sports and exercise science studies to make inferences about muscular strength, performance, and hypertrophic adaptations that may result from different exercises or exercise-related variables. Here, we discuss the presumptive logic and assumptions underlying these inferences, focusing on hypertrophic adaptations for simplicity's sake. We present counter-evidence for each of its premises and discuss evidence both for and against the logical conclusion. Given the limited evidence validating the amplitude of surface electromyograms as a predictor of longitudinal hypertrophic adaptations, coupled with its weak mechanistic foundation, we suggest that acute comparative studies that wish to assess stimulus potency be met with scrutiny.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.