After a really hard leg workout, you feel beat up the next day—but by the day after that, you’re back to feeling normal again.

Scientific Claim

Perceived recovery status (PRS) declines significantly after high-volume resistance training (21 sets) in trained males, but recovers to baseline levels within 24 hours.

Original Statement

“PRS was assessed at baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-experimental session... the 21-SETS condition... induced... lower PRS than the other conditions.”

From study:Don’t Sweat the Swelling: Exercise Volume’s Transient Effects in Trained Males

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

understated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study reports PRS was lower after 21 sets but does not explicitly state recovery timelines. The conclusion about 24-hour recovery is inferred from MT/EI data, not PRS data—thus understated.

More Accurate Statement

“Perceived recovery status (PRS) declines significantly after high-volume resistance training (21 sets) in trained males, though the study does not provide sufficient data to confirm recovery to baseline within 24 hours.”

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Don’t Sweat the Swelling: Exercise Volume’s Transient Effects in Trained Males

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2026 Jan 21

After doing a lot of squats (21 sets), the guys felt more tired and less recovered, but by the next day, they felt back to normal.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Don’t Sweat the Swelling: Exercise Volume’s Transient Effects in Trained Males

Score: 31

DOI: 10.1055/a-2791-5145

Similar Assertions

After doing a lot of leg exercises in one workout, guys who are used to lifting feel less recovered the next day or two than after doing fewer sets.

87%

After doing a lot of leg exercises, guys feel less recovered the next day—even if their muscles look fine—because they just feel more tired.

84%

After a really tough leg workout, trained men feel weak and tired for about 3 days, but by day 6, they start feeling better than they did before the workout.

72%

How hard you feel you worked or how recovered you feel doesn’t match up with how swollen your muscles look — you can feel wiped out even if your muscles aren’t actually swollen.

70%

The more sets you do, the harder you feel you worked and the less recovered you feel afterward — especially if you do a lot.

70%