For women just starting weight training, how much they lift (total volume) matters a lot—but only if they also eat enough protein and calories. It’s the combo that makes a difference.

Scientific Claim

In young, untrained women, resistance training volume (measured as sets × repetitions × load) is a key factor interacting with dietary protein and energy intake to influence changes in muscle mass and strength.

Original Statement

“This study aimed to explore the interplay effect of individual VT and dietary intake on muscle hypertrophy and strength responsiveness from resistance training. The interaction between VT and protein intake... and the interaction between VT and energy intake... significantly explained changes...”

From study:Resistance training volume and nutrient intake on lean mass and strength in young 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 abstract uses 'interplay effect' and 'significantly explained', which are appropriate for correlational analysis. No causal verbs are used in this claim, and the language reflects the observational nature of the study.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Resistance training volume and nutrient intake on lean mass and strength in young women

Cohort Study

Human

The study found that when young women who had never trained before did more resistance exercises (more sets, reps, and heavier weights), they built more muscle and strength—but only if they ate enough protein and calories. If they didn’t eat enough, even hard training didn’t help much.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Resistance training volume and nutrient intake on lean mass and strength in young women

Score: 32

DOI: 10.12820/rbafs.30e0419

Similar Assertions

If young women who are new to weightlifting eat enough calories (35–45 per kg of body weight), they get stronger from training—but if they eat too few (15–20 kcal/kg), they might actually lose strength even while training hard.

83%

Lifting more weights each week makes you stronger, but the gains slow down faster than muscle growth — after a certain point, adding more sets gives you very little extra strength.

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When you lift more, you get stronger faster than you get bigger — volume seems to have a bigger impact on strength than on muscle size.

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Lifting more weights each week makes you stronger, but the extra strength you gain from each additional set gets smaller faster than the muscle gains do.

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When you lift weights, how much total work you do matters more for getting stronger and bigger than whether you use heavy weights with few reps or light weights with many reps.

78%