After a tough bicep workout, your arm gets a little swollen, but it goes back to normal by the next day — and it doesn’t matter if you changed your shoulder angle during the workout.

Pro

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (0)

Community contributions welcome

No supporting evidence found

Contradicting (1)

Community contributions welcome

The Effects of Varying Glenohumeral Joint Angle on Acute Volume Load, Muscle Activation, Swelling, and Echo-Intensity on the Biceps Brachii in Resistance-Trained Individuals

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2019 Sep 4

The study looked at whether changing arm position during bicep curls affects muscle swelling, but it didn’t say how much the muscles swelled or when they went back to normal — so we can’t tell if the claim about a 12% increase and 24-hour recovery is true.

Source Study

The Effects of Varying Glenohumeral Joint Angle on Acute Volume Load, Muscle Activation, Swelling, and Echo-Intensity on the Biceps Brachii in Resistance-Trained Individuals

Score: 51

DOI: 10.3390/sports7090204

Similar Assertions

Your bicep doesn't grow more at the top, middle, or bottom no matter how you do the curl — it grows evenly all along its length.

80%

The middle part of your bicep gets a little more 'hazy' on ultrasound after a workout, but it clears up by the next day — and it doesn’t matter if you changed your shoulder angle.

80%

Doing bicep curls with your arm stretched behind you makes the lower part of your bicep feel more strained right after the workout than doing them with your arm at your side.

79%

When you do bicep curls with your shoulder stretched back, the lower part of your bicep shows more signs of stress on ultrasound right after the workout than when you keep your shoulder neutral.

79%

Changing the angle of your shoulder while doing bicep curls makes your biceps work harder during the workout, even if you're lifting the same total weight.

77%