Just because your triceps feel sore doesn’t mean they’re damaged or weak—sometimes they feel sore even when they’ve fully recovered, and sometimes they’re fine even when they feel fine.
Scientific Claim
Muscle soreness in the triceps brachii is not a reliable indicator of muscle damage recovery in resistance-trained men performing chest press exercises, as it dissociates from muscle thickness and peak torque recovery patterns.
Original Statement
“Triceps brachii muscle thickness returned to baseline by 24 hours (p > 0.05), whereas muscle soreness persisted longer in barbell and Smith machine groups and was absent in dumbbell group.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The RCT design with multiple outcome measures (soreness, thickness, torque) allows for a mechanistic interpretation. The dissociation is clearly demonstrated and appropriately stated.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Chest Press Exercises With Different Stability Requirements Result in Similar Muscle Damage Recovery in Resistance-Trained Men
Even though some guys felt more sore in their arms after lifting, their muscles recovered at the same rate as others who didn’t feel sore — so feeling sore doesn’t tell you if your muscles are truly healed.