Dear bro,

I love systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Maybe you love them, too?

In case you don’t know, “a meta-analysis uses a statistical approach to combine the results from multiple studies in an effort to increase power (over individual studies), improve estimates of the size of the effect and/or to resolve uncertainty when reports disagree.” (Wikipedia)

In other words, a meta-analysis lets you know at a glance what the sum of the scientific literature concludes on a particular topic. Meta-analyses are not perfect, and issues like study selection can bias the results. But I love them anyway. I even published one for my PhD (it was a systematic review).

I’ve quoted many meta-analyses in this bodybuilding science review. And I was thinking of putting together a collection of meta-analyses about training and nutrition for hypertrophy. One web page with a long list of relevant reviews, with their main conclusion (usually 1-2 sentences long). Then, just by reading this one page, you’d have a grasp of the current scientific knowledge on building muscle.

I’ve started to work on it, but it’s a lot of work. If you’d like to see it, reply to this email and let me know. That should motivate me.

Until then, let’s move on with this week’s studies.

Your bro in science-based natural bodybuilding,

Carl Juneau, PhD