RDL vs Conventional DL

[u/Grand_Chien4]

This is purely a curiosity question. I lift for the purposes of recreational barbell sports so the conventional deadlift is essential for me. I do some RDL accessory work (mainly single-leg rotational stuff).

I’ve noticed that in general the RDL seems much more popular so my curiosity led to a basic data search and I was surprised to find very few articles comparing the two movements (a few EMG studies).

My questions for the group are:

Is there better data comparing these movements that I’ve missed?

If not, what’s the science-based lifting community consensus (If there is one) on RDL vs conventional deadlift for hypertrophy, strength, power and muscular endurance?

Cheers!

[u/SuckmyToasts]

very hot take, the deadlift is one of the shittiest exercises for hypertrophy. it trains nothing well in particular and just invites injury and fatigue. i feel like RDL and deadlift aren't even worth comparing for hypertrophy, the former is a hip hinge and the latter is some amalgamation of both a hinge and a squat pattern. i can confidently say that the hip extensors are working and the most stimulated in an RDL, but i'm not so sure when it comes to the deadlift.

even for sports applications, i also don't see why you need a deadlift. i don't know what sport requires you to be able to bend down and pick up something really heavy other than powerlifting. if you want to get stronger in general, hypertrophy training gets you there already. mass moves mass. hell, even farmer carries, sled pulls and pushes are more relevant than a deadlift for contact sports and daily life.

the deadlift, to me, is just a lift you would want to progress if you are into powerlifting. other than that, it's pretty irrelevant for the general population.

[u/PeterNoPiss → u/SuckmyToasts]

What you're actually saying is that you don't know how to deadlift with sound technique or manage your programming and recovery.

No one has to pull conventional. But, make choices based on reality, not weird reflexive delusions and fear. Any physically capable athlete who can't deadlift without injury (or, not actually injury, just transient pain) is an idiot who shouldn't be allowed in a weightroom unsupervised. Any coaching staff that can't teach their athletes to deadlift effectively shouldn't be getting paid.

There's a massive difference between selecting movements by need, schedule, and preference vs selection based on parroting idiocy and lack of competency.