Big lad, very big lad (Picture:AFP/Getty Images)

Mad gains, protein shakes and sick traps – we all know the conversation of body-building friends.

They may like to tell you they’re buffer than you – but new research has shown that bigger muscles do not necessarily make you stronger.

Published in Experimental Physiology, Hans Degens and his team at Manchester Metropolitan University conducted research on 12 body builders, six weightlifters and 14 control average men who are physically active.

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They measured the size of muscle cells in each subject allowing the researchers to define the specific force or muscle quality. Degens found that while the bodybuilders’ muscle cells were bigger than the average men – the specific force was considerably less.

The weightlifters were found to have similar muscle quality to the controls but were able to produce the force quciker – making them more powerful.

So if you wish to become physically stronger while retaining muscle quality – don’t look to work for Schwarzenegger-esque muscles.

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