People feel less sore after doing the same tough arm workout a second time, four weeks later.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Reduced muscle lengthening during eccentric contractions as a mechanism underpinning the repeated-bout effect.

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2015 May 15

After doing hard arm exercises once, men felt sore — but when they did the same exercises again four weeks later, they felt much less sore, because their muscles had adapted and didn’t stretch as much during the movement.

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No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Reduced muscle lengthening during eccentric contractions as a mechanism underpinning the repeated-bout effect.

Score: 37

DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00338.2014

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