I’m not against single leg movements, but it is obviously a false statement to say that single leg movements are better at producing either strength or hypertrophy. If they were, they would form the base of training for weightlifters, powerlifters and bodybuilders (regardless of their diet). They don’t, they are auxilliary or supplementary if they are done at all.
More force being generated means higher levels of intramuscular tension. Higher levels of intramuscular tension means more protein breakdown. And more protein breakdown leads to more hypertrophy. It’s not really something you can argue.
It doesn’t need to be argued…it is obviously false on its face. If it were true, powerlifters and Oly lifters (who generate the highest intramuscular tensions in the gym) would have much larger muscles than bodybuilders, who don’t lift at the intensities that the weightlifters do. Look at a 205lb. weightlifter or Oly lifter compared to a 205lb. bodybuilder…nowhere near the hypertrophy. Your assumptions are way off base as to what generates not only hypertrophy, but limit strength as well.
Do you know many athletes that can single leg squat with 300-400lbs on their back, even with balance assist? I know a great many that can do it on two legs.
And as for muscle size not being a goal, I’d have to disagree. Muscle strength is highly correlated (even within sprinters) with cross sectional area. Neural adaptations can only provide so much in strength gains. After that point, more muscle mass is needed. Why do you think all sprinters have impressive glute and hamstring musculature in relation to their frames? Hell, most have impressive overall muscular development.
Simple comparison…Arnold vs Chuck Vogelpohl. Arnold has twice the mass in the legs, but nowhere near the strength Chuck does. I could give you hundreds of such comparisons, weight class to weight class. You are greatly underestimating the role of neural adaptions relating to strength, and overestimating the contributions of hypertrophy, not to mention the lack of consideration to the weight penalty that hypertrophy brings with it.