Moderate evidence

Strength and size respond to different things: strength to intensity, size to volume.

In practice

This is why the same exercise gets different numbers depending on your goal. Chasing strength means fewer reps and heavier weight; chasing size means more total hard sets, and the weight matters less.

What it doesn't say

The two overlap enormously — almost any sensible programme moves both. This shapes emphasis, not category.

Source

• Currier BS, McLeod JC, Banfield L, Beyene J, Welton NJ, D'Souza AC, Keogh JAJ, Lin L, Coletta G, Yang A, Colenso-Semple LM, Lau KJ, Verboom A, Phillips SM (2023). Resistance training prescription for muscle strength and hypertrophy in healthy adults: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57:1211–1220. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-106807