After a heavy leg workout, men report their legs feeling very sore — about 3 out of 5 on a pain scale — and it lasts for at least two days.
Scientific Claim
Subjective muscle soreness in the quadriceps increases from near-zero to an average rating of 3.3–3.6 out of 5 at 24 and 48 hours after heavy resistance exercise in strength-trained men, indicating moderate to severe delayed-onset muscle soreness.
Original Statement
“Subjective muscle soreness (0 = “no pain” to 5 = “maximum pain”) increased from 0.1 ± 0.4 to 3.3 ± 0.7 (p < 0.01) and 3.6 ± 0.9 (p < 0.01) at 24 and 48 hours after the exercise, respectively.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The claim accurately reports the scale-based findings without overgeneralizing. The use of 'increases' is appropriate for observed associations in a within-subject design.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The study found that after a tough leg workout, men felt significantly more sore two days later, which matches the claim that quadriceps soreness peaks at moderate to severe levels around 24–48 hours after heavy exercise.