The Claim

In untrained men, resistance exercise performed in a fasted state increases S6 ribosomal protein phosphorylation in a volume-dependent manner, with 5 sets producing a 55-fold increase compared to baseline, while 1 set produces no significant change, indicating that minimal training volume may be insufficient to robustly activate translational machinery.

Source: The degree of p70S6k and S6 phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle in response to resistance exercise depends on the training volume

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
53score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

If untrained guys lift weights on an empty stomach, doing 5 sets of exercise really ramps up a key muscle-building signal in their cells—but just 1 set doesn’t do much, suggesting you need more than a little effort to kickstart muscle growth.

See the scientific wording

In untrained men, resistance exercise performed in a fasted state increases S6 ribosomal protein phosphorylation in a volume-dependent manner, with 5 sets producing a 55-fold increase compared to baseline, while 1 set produces no significant change, indicating that minimal training volume may be insufficient to robustly activate translational machinery.

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: The degree of p70S6k and S6 phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle in response to resistance exercise depends on the training volume

    The study showed that doing just one set of weightlifting didn’t do much to activate muscle-building signals, but doing five sets made those signals jump way up — exactly what the claim said.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.