Progressive resistance training is the primary factor in muscle mass gain, relegating protein intake to a secondary role, to the point of being negligible for most people.

noli's read

Stuart Phillips, a recognized researcher in muscle physiology, highlights an important hierarchy here: without mechanical stimulus, protein intake alone is not enough to build muscle. Research broadly confirms that mechanical tension induced by exercise is the primary driver of hypertrophy (meta-analyses by Schoenfeld et al.). However, labeling protein intake as 'inconsequential' is a bold interpretation. If exercise is the engine, protein is the essential fuel for tissue repair and synthesis (meta-analyses on protein requirements, e.g., Morton et al., 2018). For an athlete or someone looking to optimize their body composition, a deficiency or insufficient intake may limit results, even with excellent training. The statement is therefore structurally true regarding overall muscle mass, but it underestimates the crucial synergistic role of protein in maximizing metabolic adaptation and recovery.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.