Going to failure adds little muscle over stopping just short of it

Key finding

Going to failure adds little muscle over stopping just short of it

Context

Meta-analysis of 15 studies: training to muscular failure versus training with reps in reserve.

Going to failure gave only a trivial advantage on average
  • 0.19 (95% CI: 0–0.37) effect size: Failure, any definition
  • 0.12 (95% CI: -0.13–0.37) effect size: momentary failure

Limits

Definitions of failure differed between studies. The main result does not establish an advantage for momentary muscular failure.

Sources

  • Influence of Resistance Training Proximity-to-Failure on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis · Refalo; Martin C; Helms; Eric R; Trexler; Eric T; Hamilton; D. Lee; Fyfe; Jackson J · 2023 · Sports Medicine PubMed DOI Study note

Guides

Related studies

Summaries by SetCtl, not medical advice.