Checking your muscle size right after a workout won’t tell you how good your workout was — it’ll look normal by the next day no matter how hard you went.
Scientific Claim
In trained males, the transient nature of muscle swelling after resistance training suggests that post-exercise assessments of muscle thickness or echo-intensity within 24 hours may not be useful indicators of training stimulus or recovery status.
Original Statement
“Despite distinct perceptual and VL differences, no sustained muscle swelling or evidence of edema was observed, as MT and EI measurements returned to baseline within 24 hours post-session across all conditions.”
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 uses 'may not be useful' — appropriately cautious language that reflects the observational findings without overreaching.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Don't Sweat the Swelling: Exercise Volume's Transient Effects in Trained Males.
Even when guys worked out really hard, their muscles puffed up right after but went back to normal within a day — so checking muscle size or texture the next day doesn’t tell you how effective the workout was or how recovered they are.