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Even for a single exercise, there are a lot of different variables: weight, number of sets, number of reps, recovery time between sets, recovery time between workouts, etc. Were all of these variables adjusted and taken into account or were some of them held constant?

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Weight, number of sets, reps and recovery time were all taken into account, although they weren't necessarily constant.

You can devise a relationship between someone's 1 rep - 12 rep max and adjust for it, check out epleys formula https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-repetition_maximum

I agree, and just as important as weight/reps and number is the speed of reps. Muscle growth comes from the amount of time the muscles are being utilized under weight. If someone cranks out 10 bench press reps quickly, that will have vastly different results than a 3110 lift. (3 seconds up, 1 second hold, 1 second down)

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