Even after a super hard leg workout, your thighs don’t stay swollen for days—the puffiness goes away by the next day.
Scientific Claim
Resistance training volume from 7 to 21 sets does not cause sustained increases in anterior thigh muscle thickness (MT) or echo-intensity (EI) in trained males, as both return to baseline within 24 hours.
Original Statement
“No condition or condition-by-time effects were observed for MT, EI, or 10RM-VL (p > 0.05). 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 authors correctly avoid causal language and report no significant effects over time. The conclusion about transient swelling is consistent with the data and design limitations.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Don’t Sweat the Swelling: Exercise Volume’s Transient Effects in Trained Males
Even when guys did a lot of squats—up to 21 sets—their thigh muscles swelled up right after, but the swelling went away within a day, no matter how hard they worked out.