This kind of training doesn’t just change your muscles right away — it triggers a slow, lingering chain of molecular signals that keep working for days after you stop exercising.
Scientific Claim
High-frequency, low-load blood flow-restricted resistance exercise is associated with delayed upregulation of Pax7 and p21 mRNA during training and delayed changes in myostatin, IGF1R, MyoD, myogenin, and cyclinD1/D2 mRNA 3–10 days post-intervention, suggesting a prolonged molecular response.
Original Statement
“Pax7- and p21 mRNA expression were elevated during the intervention, whereas myostatin, IGF1R, MyoD, myogenin, cyclinD1 and -D2 mRNA did not change until 3–10 days postintervention”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The abstract describes observed mRNA patterns but implies functional causation. Without mechanistic validation or controls, these are associations, not proven regulatory effects.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
This study found that after doing high-rep, light-weight exercise with blood flow restricted, the body’s muscle repair signals didn’t kick in right away—they showed up days later, which matches what the claim says.