Do muscles respond the same way when you train again?
Repeated Resistance Training Reveals the Reproducibility of Muscle Strength and Size Responses Within Individuals
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
People who gain the most muscle also lose it the fastest when they stop training.
Most assume big gains mean long-lasting results, but this shows the opposite — high responders are more vulnerable to detraining.
Practical Takeaways
Stick with strength training for at least 10 weeks before judging your progress — and track multiple outcomes like strength and size.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
People who gain the most muscle also lose it the fastest when they stop training.
Most assume big gains mean long-lasting results, but this shows the opposite — high responders are more vulnerable to detraining.
Practical Takeaways
Stick with strength training for at least 10 weeks before judging your progress — and track multiple outcomes like strength and size.
Publication
Journal
European Journal of Sport Science
Year
2025
Authors
Aapo Räntilä, Eeli J. Halonen, Esko J Tiainen, Sasu O Kaasinen, J. Hulmi, J. P. Ahtiainen
Related Content
Claims (8)
Everyone can lose fat, get stronger, and build muscle with the right diet and exercise — how much they gain might differ, but the ability is there for all of us.
When people stop training, their muscles don't get weaker as fast as they shrink — strength sticks around more than size, maybe because the brain and nerves keep working well even as muscles get smaller.
If you've never worked out before, lifting weights for 10 weeks can make your muscles stronger and bigger — especially in your legs and arms — while people who don’t train see almost no changes.
Almost everyone benefits from strength training — if someone doesn’t see gains in one area or one round of training, they likely will in another. Real 'non-responders' are super rare.
If you gain more muscle and strength when working out, you might also lose more when you stop — your gains and losses seem to go hand in hand.