Even doing a ton of leg exercises doesn’t cause lasting muscle damage or fluid buildup — at least not in guys who’ve been lifting for years.
Scientific Claim
In trained males, resistance training volume up to 21 sets per session does not result in measurable muscle damage or edema as assessed by muscle thickness and echo-intensity, suggesting that these markers are insensitive to acute volume changes in this population.
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 claim uses 'does not result in' and 'suggesting' appropriately to reflect null findings without implying causation, consistent with the study’s observational nature.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Don't Sweat the Swelling: Exercise Volume's Transient Effects in Trained Males.
Even when trained guys did a lot of squats—up to 21 sets—their muscles didn’t swell or get damaged in a way that could be measured, so those common ways of checking muscle damage don’t pick up the effects of high-volume workouts in this group.