We compared performing preacher and incline biceps curls on changes in elbow flexors muscle size and strength. This was a between-group repeated measures randomized trial. Sixty-three young women performed preacher biceps curl (PC, n = 30) or incline biceps curl (IC, n = 33) for 8 weeks, twice a week. We measured the muscle thickness of elbow flexors at the proximal, middle, and distal sites. We assessed muscle strength using three repetition maximum (3RM) tests in the preacher curl (3RM-PC) and incline curl (3RM-IC). We observed a greater increase in proximal elbow flexors thickness in the IC compared to the PC (meandiff = 0.08 cm [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.02, 0.13 cm]). We observed a greater increase in distal elbow flexor thickness in the PC compared to the IC (meandiff = 0.10 cm [95% CI: 0.04, 0.15 cm]). The PC showed a greater increase in 3RM-PC (meandiff = 1.88 kg [95% CI: 1.14, 2.62 kg]). The IC showed a greater in-crease in 3RM-IC (meandiff = 0.86 kg [95% CI: 0.10, 1.62 kg]). Our findings suggest regional dif-ferences in muscle growth induced by the preacher and incline biceps curls. Strength gains appear to follow the principle of specificity.
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