Even though the muscles got stronger, the way the nerves activated the muscles didn’t change at all during the recovery period.

Scientific Claim

In untrained women, blood flow-restricted leg extensions using either protocol are associated with no significant changes in surface electromyography (sEMG) amplitude, frequency, or neuromuscular efficiency over 96 hours post-exercise.

Original Statement

“There were no changes in echo intensity, sEMG amplitude, sEMG frequency, or neuromuscular efficiency.”

From study:Muscle Swelling and Neuromuscular Responses Following Blood Flow Restricted Exercise in Untrained Women

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design cannot support claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The claim reflects a null result directly reported in the abstract. No causal or mechanistic language is used, and 'associated with' appropriately reflects the observational nature.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Muscle Swelling and Neuromuscular Responses Following Blood Flow Restricted Exercise in Untrained Women

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2025 Jun

The study found that after doing leg exercises with restricted blood flow, untrained women’s muscle electrical signals didn’t change at all over four days — exactly what the claim says.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Muscle Swelling and Neuromuscular Responses Following Blood Flow Restricted Exercise in Untrained Women

Score: 25

DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2024.2391422

Similar Assertions

Surprisingly, right after doing these tough leg exercises with bands, the women got stronger over the next few days—not weaker, as you might expect.

76%

After doing leg exercises with tight bands around the thighs, the muscles in the front of the thighs get temporarily puffy right after, but go back to normal by the next day.

75%

Even though these exercises were hard, they didn’t hurt the muscles or cause the kind of soreness and damage you’d normally expect after intense workouts.

75%

Even though the muscles got puffy right after exercise, there was no sign of muscle damage or inflammation in the ultrasound images for the next four days.

73%