Does Muscle Damage (EIMD) Actually Drive Growth?

LatinoBulk · Post by **LatinoBulk** » Sat Jan 24, 2026 2:30 am

The old "tear and repair" theory. Damaso et al (2024) suggests damage might actually delay hypertrophy by diverting protein resources to repair.

AndeanLifter · Post by **AndeanLifter** » Sat Jan 24, 2026 3:20 am

I have always said soreness is a poor indicator of a good workout.

TropicStrength · Post by **TropicStrength** » Sat Jan 24, 2026 4:05 am

Exactly. If you can't train again for 5 days because you overdid the eccentrics, your weekly volume suffers.

CaliFlex · Post by **CaliFlex** » Sat Jan 24, 2026 4:50 am

Is there a "sweet spot" of damage that signals adaptation without overtaxing the system?

MedellinMuscle · Post by **MedellinMuscle** » Sat Jan 24, 2026 5:40 am

Maybe enough to trigger satellite cell migration but not enough to cause significant leakage of creatine kinase.

LatinoBulk · Post by **LatinoBulk** » Sat Jan 24, 2026 6:35 am

That's the billion-dollar question for recovery science.

AndeanLifter · Post by **AndeanLifter** » Sat Jan 24, 2026 7:25 am

Advanced lifters rarely get sore anyway due to the Repeated Bout Effect.

TropicStrength · Post by **TropicStrength** » Sat Jan 24, 2026 8:10 am

The RBE is fascinating. The protective adaptations are almost more impressive than the growth itself.

CaliFlex · Post by **CaliFlex** » Sat Jan 24, 2026 8:50 am

Does stretching reduce EIMD? The science usually says no.

LatinoBulk · Post by **LatinoBulk** » Sat Jan 24, 2026 9:25 am

No, stretching is largely ineffective for soreness. Movement is better.