The more the thigh swells after a workout, the more the MGF repair protein increases — suggesting MGF might be triggered by physical stretching or swelling in the muscle.
Scientific Claim
The increase in MGF mRNA expression is moderately associated with muscle swelling (VL thickness) at 24 and 48 hours post-exercise in strength-trained men (r = 0.80–0.84), suggesting MGF may be responsive to mechanical load-induced tissue distortion.
Original Statement
“The changes in MGF mRNA expression correlated with the relative changes of VL thickness at 24 hours postexercise (r = 0.80, p > 0.05) and also at 48 hours postexercise (r = 0.84, p > 0.05) when an outlier was excluded from the analysis at 48 hours.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The claim accurately reports the correlation coefficients and notes the exclusion of an outlier, avoiding causal language. The small sample size limits significance but not the association.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
After heavy lifting, the guys’ muscles swelled up and their bodies made more of a special molecule called MGF at the same time—suggesting MGF might be the body’s way of responding to muscle swelling from exercise.