Training & movement
B · Reasonable confidenceTraining to muscle failure and fatigue right after the session
Subject: Effects of Resistance Training to Muscle Failure on Acute Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
What this means
Training to failure caused more fatigue shortly after the session than stopping earlier. Jump, speed and strength dropped more. Lactate, muscle damage and perceived effort rose more.
Vieira JG, Sardeli AV, Dias MR, Filho JE, Campos Y, Sant'Ana L, Leitão L, Reis V, Wilk M, Novaes J, Vianna J · 2022 · Sports Medicine
What does this rating mean?
A solid systematic review with caveats, or consistent indications with a limited scope.
Findings
Training to failure produces significantly greater acute fatigue than non-failure training, supporting the recommendation to use failure training strategically rather than on every set.
Who this applies to
Multiple studies; acute fatigue outcomes in trained and untrained adults
Size of the research
Twenty studies, of which 12 were pooled. The number of participants is not given in the abstract.
What to keep in mind
Only fatigue shortly after one session was measured; long-term effects were not studied. Higher perceived effort appeared only when training volume was not matched.
Practical conclusion for REZA
Supports why REZA uses training to failure strategically rather than on every set: it produces more acute fatigue, which can affect recovery and the rest of the session.
View method and source
Methodology
Meta-analysis
Intervention
RT to failure vs RT not to failure
Outcome measures
Acute fatigue markers (repetition performance, velocity loss, perceived exertion)
Limitations
Acute studies only; chronic adaptations not directly assessed; heterogeneity in failure definitions.
Original source
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01602-x · PMID: 34881412
View on PubMed →This information is general education about scientific research. It is not personal medical advice and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a doctor or other healthcare professional. If you have symptoms, a medical condition or take medication, consult your GP or treating professional before changing your training or nutrition.