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

This study investigated the effects of different session volumes on perceptual, performance, morphological changes and their transient responses following the experimental sessions. Thirteen trained males (training experience: 5.1 ± 1.3 years; 10RM Squat: 131 ± 23 kg) completed three counterbalanced experimental sessions consisting of 7, 14, or 21 total sets per session targeting the lower body. A 10 repetition-maximum test (10RM) was used as a performance marker. Anterior thigh muscle thickness (MT) and echo-intensity (EI) were assessed at baseline, immediately post-session, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-experimental session. Perceived recovery status (PRS) was assessed at baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-experimental sessions. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded post-session only. The 14 and 21-SETS conditions resulted in greater volume load (VL) (p < 0.05). 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. No condition or condition-by-time effects were observed for MT, EI, or 10RM-VL (p > 0.05). Despite distinct perceptual and VL differences, no sustained muscle swelling or evidence of edema was observed, as MT and EI measurements returned to baseline within 24 hours post-session across all conditions.