Doing more sets of squats and leg exercises makes people feel like they worked harder, even if their muscles don’t get more swollen or weaker.

Scientific Claim

Higher resistance training volume (21 sets) is associated with higher ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) in trained males, suggesting that increased workload may heighten subjective effort during lower-body sessions.

Original Statement

“PRS and RPE were significantly affected by training volume (p < 0.05), particularly in the 21-SETS condition, which induced higher RPE and 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

overstated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study uses 'induced' which implies causation, but the design (no control group, no randomization) only supports association. RPE was measured post-session and correlated with volume, but not proven to be caused by it.

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

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

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