Both heavy lifting with few reps and light lifting with many reps cause muscle damage, but neither does it more than the other.
Scientific Claim
Both high-volume and high-intensity resistance exercise protocols elevate markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and myoglobin) in trained men, but the magnitude of increase is not significantly different between protocols.
Original Statement
“Markers of muscle damage (LDH, CK, and Mb) were significantly elevated following both HV and HI (p < 0.05), while cortisol and IL-6 concentrations were significantly elevated at P-30 min following HV only (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The study directly measured and compared biomarkers; the claim correctly states both protocols cause damage without implying one is worse, matching the data.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
Comparison of the recovery response from high-intensity and high-volume resistance exercise in trained men
The study found that lifting heavier weights for fewer reps (high-intensity) caused less muscle damage than lifting lighter weights for more reps (high-volume), so the claim that both are equally damaging is wrong.