For older people, doing four sets of weight exercises instead of just one can help build more muscle—but only if their body is already somewhat responsive to exercise; if it’s not responsive at all, more sets don’t help.
Scientific Claim
Higher resistance training volume (4 sets) enhances muscle hypertrophy in older adults who are medium or high responders to training, compared to single-set training, with no benefit observed in low responders.
Original Statement
“We showed that higher resistance training (RT) volume (4-sets) offsets muscle hypertrophy nonresponsiveness to single-set RT (1 set) while enhancing hypertrophic response among responders.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
probability
Can suggest probability/likelihood
Assessment Explanation
The study uses a randomized within-subject design, supporting causal inference, but blinding status is unknown, so definitive verbs are inappropriate. 'Enhances' is acceptable as probabilistic given the design.
More Accurate Statement
“Higher resistance training volume (4 sets) may enhance muscle hypertrophy in older adults who are medium or high responders to training, compared to single-set training, with no benefit observed in low responders.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Molecular signatures underlying heterogenous hypertrophy responsiveness to resistance training in older men and women: a within-subject design.
For older people who respond well to exercise, doing four sets of weight training builds more muscle than just one set—but for those who barely respond at all, more sets don’t help.