Edith Cowan University Apr 25 2026 If you think you need to 'go hard' at the gym to make your muscles stronger, think again!  New research at ECU has revealed strenuous exercise and soreness is not needed to improve muscle size, strength, or performance.  "The idea that exercise must be exhausting or painful is holding people back," ECU's Director of Exercise and Sports Science, Professor Ken Nosaka, said.  "Instead, we should be focussing on eccentric exercises which can deliver stronger