Even after a really hard leg workout, guys’ thighs don’t stay swollen for more than a day — they go back to normal by the next day.

Scientific Claim

In trained males, anterior thigh muscle thickness and echo-intensity return to baseline within 24 hours after resistance training sessions of 7, 14, or 21 sets, suggesting that acute muscle swelling is transient and not sustained.

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.”

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

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 describes observed temporal patterns without implying causation. Language like 'returned to baseline' is accurate and aligns with the observational design.

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

Even when guys did a lot of heavy leg workouts, their thighs didn’t stay swollen longer than a day—swelling went away by the next day no matter how much they trained.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

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

Score: 37

DOI: 10.1055/a-2791-5145

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