When guys who regularly lift weights do more sets of squats and leg exercises in one workout, they feel like they worked harder afterward.

Scientific Claim

In trained males with at least 5 years of resistance training experience, increasing lower-body resistance training volume from 7 to 21 sets per session is associated with higher post-session ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), suggesting that greater volume elevates subjective effort during exercise.

Original Statement

“PRS and RPE were significantly affected by training volume (p < 0.05), particularly in the 21-SETS condition, which induced higher RPE and lower PRS than the other conditions.”

From study:Don't Sweat the Swelling: Exercise Volume's Transient Effects in Trained Males.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

overstated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study used a counterbalanced design without confirmed randomization or blinding, so it cannot establish causation. The term 'induced' implies causation and is inappropriate.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Don't Sweat the Swelling: Exercise Volume's Transient Effects in Trained Males.

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2026 Jan 21

When experienced lifters did more leg exercises in one session, they felt way more tired afterward — the more sets they did, the harder it felt, which is exactly what the claim says.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Don't Sweat the Swelling: Exercise Volume's Transient Effects in Trained Males.

Score: 37

DOI: 10.1055/a-2791-5145

Similar Assertions

Doing more sets of squats and leg exercises makes people feel like they worked harder, even if their muscles don’t get more swollen or weaker.

95%

After doing a lot of leg exercises in one workout, guys who are used to lifting feel less recovered the next day or two than after doing fewer sets.

80%

When you do more sets, you feel it way more than your muscles or strength show it — your brain notices the effort before your body shows physical signs.

80%

Doing more sets of leg exercises makes you lift more total weight in one session, but doesn’t make you stronger right after or cause your muscles to swell longer.

76%

Even after doing a lot of squats, guys can still lift about the same amount of weight the next day or two—so one tough workout doesn’t make them weaker right away.

75%