The Claim

In mice, passive repetitive stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle performed 15 times per minute for 15 minutes, 5 days per week over 2 weeks is associated with an increase in myofiber cross-sectional area, suggesting a cellular-level structural adaptation indicative of muscle hypertrophy.

Source: Efficacy of passive repetitive stretching of skeletal muscle on myofiber hypertrophy and genetic suppression on MAFbx, MuRF1, and myostatin

What the research says

Roughly balanced

Support and challenge are close. The picture may shift as more studies come in.

Supports
7score
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.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Stretching mouse leg muscles regularly for two weeks seemed to make the muscle fibers grow bigger, which could mean the muscles got stronger at a microscopic level.

See the scientific wording

Passive repetitive stretching of the gastrocnemius muscle in mice, performed 15 times per minute for 15 minutes, 5 days per week over 2 weeks, was linked to an increase in myofiber cross-sectional area, indicating a structural adaptation toward muscle hypertrophy at the cellular level.

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Efficacy of passive repetitive stretching of skeletal muscle on myofiber hypertrophy and genetic suppression on MAFbx, MuRF1, and myostatin

    The study did the exact stretching routine described and found that it made muscle fibers bigger in mice, which means the claim is backed by the evidence.

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.