I remember the 40-50 total rep thing while in high school (around 1988 or so). Can burn out pretty fast for most guy's, but it did seem to work up to a point, as most exercise programs do.Than on to something else. A key factor being having a mental discipline as well as a physical one. Was being done two, maybe three times a week along with their regular workouts. Actually those 40-50 rep workouts went by fairly fast. Keeping the same weight on the bar throughout, with brief pauses when needed until 40 was hit. Don't really have official sets, just those brief pauses. Can also affect stamina (endurance & strength)
Most popular exercises were pullups/chinsups and dip. Don't know why, just the way it was, at least in SoCal. No doubt heavier high rep exercises (20-30), like DL's cleans, benches and squats will add size, been proven over and over again.
Good Luck.
