Resistance Training Performed to Failure or Not to Failure Results in Similar Total Volume, but With Different Fatigue and Discomfort Levels

Santos, WDNd, Vieira, CA, Bottaro, M, Nunes, VA, Ramirez-Campillo, R, Steele, J, Fisher, JP, and Gentil, P. Resistance training performed to failure or not to failure results in similar total volume, but with different fatigue and discomfort levels. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1372-1379, 2021-The purpose of this study was to compare the acute response to 4 sets of high velocity parallel squats performed to momentary failure (MF) or not to momentary failure (NF). Twelve women (24.93 +/- 5.04 years) performed MF and NF protocols, in a randomized order with 2-3 interday rest. The protocol involved 4 sets of parallel squats executed at high velocity at 10RM load, with 2 minutes of rest interval between sets. During the NF protocol, the sets were interrupted when the subject lost more than 20% of mean propulsive velocity. The analysis involved the number of repetitions performed per set, total number of repetitions, movement velocity loss, power output loss, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), rating of perceived discomfort (RPD), and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). Compared with NF, MF resulted in a higher number of repetitions in the first set (11.58 +/- 1.83 vs. 7.58 +/- 1.72, p < 0.05), but a lower in the last set (3.58 +/- 1.08 vs. 5.41 +/- 1.08, p < 0.05). Total number of repetitions was similar between the protocols (MF 26.25 +/- 3.47 vs. NF 24.5 +/- 3.65, p > 0.05). In both protocols, there were significant decreases in maximum and mean movement velocity loss and power output loss, but higher decreases were observed in MF than NF (p < 0.05). Values for RPE, sRPE, and RPD were higher during MF than NF (p < 0.05). Controlling the movement velocity in NF protocol enabled performance of a similar total volume of repetitions with lower movement velocity and power output losses, RPE, sRPE, and RPD than during an MF protocol.

Automated summary

This study compared the acute response to resistance training performed to momentary failure (MF) or not to momentary failure (NF) in high velocity parallel squats. The total volume of repetitions was similar in both protocols, but the fatigue and discomfort levels were different, with higher levels reported in the MF protocol.