Strength gains can be made in any rep range, people seem to forget that. Getting stronger over 8-12 reps is still getting stronger

But doing 5x10 @ 50% 1RM is not building strength. It neither builds strength because it does not cause an adaptation and it cannot build muscle because I am in a deficit. It's what Rippetoe would call f&$karounditis. Actually, Rippetoe would describe strength training in a cut as "your not doing the f'ing program". But I still have gains to make even while cutting.

If you're a newb then you need the practise at the lifts as much as possible. Doing the lifts for repetitions (assuming your form is ok) re-inforces that form. Use the repetition sets to really focus on form, set up, technique, bar speed etc.

Concur. Practicing correct form is never a bad thing. And I do need the practice.

If you are cutting out all of that volume and not replacing it with something else, then you are lowering your energy expenditure - I would rather keep that as high as possible if I was trying to cut.

I guess it depends on why I am expending the energy. I am focused on strength, so adding volume for the sake of volume may not increase strength. The only way to get stronger is to lift heavier weights in a progressive loading regimen. Just lifting more of the same or less weight does not increase strength. At least that is my understanding. That is why I am asking this question. If I were in a bulk, the added volume would result in hypertrophy and that would help improve strength.

On the other hand, the extra volume might help me cut faster. But I use calories to elicit the cut, not exercise.

If you do the de-load every 4 weeks I wouldn't worry about this at all.

At 47, I always have to worry about recovery. I was progressing very nicely at maintenance. I am barely hanging on at a deficit.

Completely and totally disagree with this. If you take a lighter set close to, or to failure you will activate nearly all muscle fibres.

But does that increase strength?

You should be implementing progressive overload on your assistance exercises as well as the main lifts, after only lifting for 3months you should still be able to do that.

I do progressively load my accessories. That is different than the BBB accessory work on 5/3/1. I progressively load my rows, lying tricep extensions and barbell curls. Those are getting stronger every week.

If today I bench 80kilos for 10 reps an then a month later I can get 12 reps you're saying I'm not any stronger?

That is getting stronger. But that is not my question. Does doing 5x10x40 kilos make you stronger? In a deficit?

So the deficit question is now OBE because I hit my goal weight today. Going back to maintenance. I would like to hear the S3 input on this topic, though.

Great article. Thanks for that. I will incorporate speed into my lifting. I am an engineer, so the science resonates with that side of my brain.