The Claim
In resistance-trained men, a 4-second eccentric phase (protocol C) is associated with the highest creatine kinase (CK) levels at 24 hours post-exercise compared to other tempo protocols, indicating greater muscle damage.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
When men who lift weights do a slow downward motion (4 seconds) on exercises like squats or bench presses, their muscles seem to get more damaged afterward than when they do faster or slower movements — and this shows up as higher levels of a certain protein in their blood.
See the scientific wording
In resistance-trained men, a 4-second eccentric phase (protocol C) is associated with the highest creatine kinase (CK) levels at 24 hours post-exercise, indicating greater muscle damage than other tempo protocols.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Impact of differing eccentric-concentric phase durations on muscle damage and anabolic hormones
The study found that when men lifted weights slowly on the lowering part (4 seconds), their muscles showed more damage signs (higher CK levels) the next day than with faster lowering speeds — exactly what the claim says.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.