Training to failure vs not-to-failure with progressive volume reduction: neuromuscular and metabolic responses in untrained individuals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v78.119060Keywords:
Electromyography, Muscle Fatigue, Muscle Strength, UltrasonographyAbstract
Introduction: Resistance training to failure (RTF) acutely increases neuromuscular and metabolic demands but also induces fatigue that may compromise subsequent training stimuli. Small reductions in volume at the same intensity, while avoiding failure, may attenuate fatigue while preserving training stimuli.
Objective: Therefore, this study compared the acute effects of RTF and non-failure resistance training (RTNF) during knee extension exercise.
Methodology: Eleven untrained men completed five RTNF conditions, each involving an individualized reduction ranging from 10–50% relative to number of repetitions performed during RTF. Outcomes included maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), electromyography (EMG), muscle swelling of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL), blood lactate concentration, and perceived exertion (RPE).
Results: RTF elicited greater increases in muscle cross-sectional area of both RF and VL (p<0.01) compared with all RTNF conditions. EMG amplitude was higher in RTF than in the 30–50% reduction conditions (p=0.01 for VL and RF), while MVIC (p=0.02) and EMG frequency differed across protocols (p=0.02 for RF; p=0.03 for VL). Additionally, lactate and RPE (p<0.01) responses were highest following RTF.
Conclusion: In summary, RTF maximizes muscle swelling and metabolic stress, whereas performing repetitions up to 20% short of failure provides a comparable neuromuscular stimulus, while minimizing metabolic stress.
References
Armero-Sotillo, A., & Benito Peinado, P. J. (2025). Effects of range of motion and torque on muscle hy-pertrophy: a systematic review. Retos, 73, 1618-1628. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v74.111528
Bickel, C. S., Gregory, C. M., & Dean, J. C. (2011). Motor unit recruitment during neuromuscular electrical stimulation: a critical appraisal. Eur J Appl Physiol, 111(10), 2399-2407. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2128-4
Brody, L. R., Pollock, M. T., Roy, S. H., De Luca, C. J., & Celli, B. (1991). pH-induced effects on median frequency and conduction velocity of the myoelectric signal. J Appl Physiol (1985), 71(5), 1878-1885. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1991.71.5.1878
Brooks, G. A. (2018). The Science and Translation of Lactate Shuttle Theory. Cell Metab, 27(4), 757-785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2018.03.008
Carroll, T. J., Taylor, J. L., & Gandevia, S. C. (2017). Recovery of central and peripheral neuromuscular fatigue after exercise. J Appl Physiol (1985), 122(5), 1068-1076. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00775.2016
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. L. Erlbaum Associates.
Corradi, E. F. F., Lanza, M. B., Lacerda, L. T., Andrushko, J. W., Martins-Costa, H. C., Diniz, R. C. R., Lima, F. V., & Chagas, M. H. (2021). Acute physiological responses with varying load or time under tension during a squat exercise: A randomized cross-over design. J Sci Med Sport, 24(2), 171-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.07.015
Damas, F., Phillips, S. M., Libardi, C. A., Vechin, F. C., Lixandrao, M. E., Jannig, P. R., Costa, L. A., Bacurau, A. V., Snijders, T., Parise, G., Tricoli, V., Roschel, H., & Ugrinowitsch, C. (2016). Resistance training-induced changes in integrated myofibrillar protein synthesis are related to hypertrophy only after attenuation of muscle damage. J Physiol, 594(18), 5209-5222. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP272472
Davies, T., Orr, R., Halaki, M., & Hackett, D. (2016). Effect of Training Leading to Repetition Failure on Muscular Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med, 46(4), 487-502. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0451-3
de Freitas, M. C., Gerosa-Neto, J., Zanchi, N. E., Lira, F. S., & Rossi, F. E. (2017). Role of metabolic stress for enhancing muscle adaptations: Practical applications. World J Methodol, 7(2), 46-54. https://doi.org/10.5662/wjm.v7.i2.46
Diniz, R. C. R., Tourino, F. D., Lacerda, L. T., Martins-Costa, H. C., Lanza, M. B., Lima, F. V., & Chagas, M. H. (2022). Does the Muscle Action Duration Induce Different Regional Muscle Hypertrophy in Matched Resistance Training Protocols? J Strength Cond Res, 36(9), 2371-2380. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003883
Emanuel, A., Rozen, S., II, & Halperin, I. (2020). An analysis of the perceived causes leading to task-failure in resistance-exercises. PeerJ, 8, e9611. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9611
Engstad, M. K., Seynnes, O., Vesterhus, I., Hesseberg, E., Fjeldberg, K., Carlsen, M. H., Ottestad, I. O., Hansen, M., Nordez, A., Lacourpaille, L., Pensgaard, A. M., & Paulsen, G. (2025). Effect of Oral Contraceptive Use on Muscle Hypertrophy Following Strength Training. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 35(4), e70052. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.70052
Enoka, R. M., Baudry, S., Rudroff, T., Farina, D., Klass, M., & Duchateau, J. (2011). Unraveling the neurophysiology of muscle fatigue. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology, 21(2), 208-219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2010.10.006
Exner, R. J., Patel, M. H., Whitener, D. V., Buckner, S. L., Jessee, M. B., & Dankel, S. J. (2023). Does performing resistance exercise to failure homogenize the training stimulus by accounting for differences in local muscular endurance? Eur J Sport Sci, 23(1), 82-91. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.2023657
Ferguson, B. S., Rogatzki, M. J., Goodwin, M. L., Kane, D. A., Rightmire, Z., & Gladden, L. B. (2018). Lactate metabolism: historical context, prior misinterpretations, and current understanding. Eur J Appl Physiol, 118(4), 691-728. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3795-6
Gomes, M. C., Lacerda, L. T. d., Simões, M. G., Diniz, R. C. R., Chagas, M. H., & Lima, F. V. (2021). Repetitions to failure increase pectoralis major activation with similar neuromuscular fatigue in trained men. Journal of Physical Education, 32, e3214. https://doi.org/10.4025/jphyseduc.v32i1.3214
Grgic, J., & Schoenfeld, B. J. (2019). Higher effort, rather than higher load, for resistance exercise-induced activation of muscle fibres. J Physiol, 597(18), 4691-4692. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP278627
Harman, E., & Garhammer, J. (2008). Administration, Scoring, and Interpretation of Selected Tests. In T. R. Baechle & R. W. Earle (Eds.), Essentials of strength training and conditioning (pp. 249-292). Human Kinetics.
Hirono, T., Ikezoe, T., Taniguchi, M., Tanaka, H., Saeki, J., Yagi, M., Umehara, J., & Ichihashi, N. (2022). Relationship Between Muscle Swelling and Hypertrophy Induced by Resistance Training. J Strength Cond Res, 36(2), 359-364. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003478
Jenkins, N. D., Housh, T. J., Bergstrom, H. C., Cochrane, K. C., Hill, E. C., Smith, C. M., Johnson, G. O., Schmidt, R. J., & Cramer, J. T. (2015). Muscle activation during three sets to failure at 80 vs. 30% 1RM resistance exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol, 115(11), 2335-2347. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3214-9
Kassiano, W., Costa, B., Nunes, J. P., Ribeiro, A. S., Schoenfeld, B. J., & Cyrino, E. S. (2023). Which ROMs Lead to Rome? A Systematic Review of the Effects of Range of Motion on Muscle Hypertrophy. J Strength Cond Res, 37(5), 1135-1144. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004415
Lacerda, L. T., Costa, C. G., Lima, F. V., Martins-Costa, H. C., Diniz, R. C. R., Andrade, A. G. P., Peixoto, G. H. C., Bemben, M. G., & Chagas, M. H. (2019). Longer Concentric Action Increases Muscle Activation and Neuromuscular Fatigue Responses in Protocols Equalized by Repetition Duration. J Strength Cond Res, 33(6), 1629-1639. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002148
Lacerda, L. T., Marra-Lopes, R. O., Diniz, R. C. R., Lima, F. V., Rodrigues, S. A., Martins-Costa, H. C., Bemben, M. G., & Chagas, M. H. (2020). Is Performing Repetitions to Failure Less Important Than Volume for Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength? J Strength Cond Res, 34(5), 1237-1248. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003438
Lacerda, L. T., Marra-Lopes, R. O., Lanza, M. B., Diniz, R. C. R., Lima, F. V., Martins-Costa, H. C., Pedrosa, G. F., Gustavo Pereira Andrade, A., Kibele, A., & Chagas, M. H. (2021). Resistance training with different repetition duration to failure: effect on hypertrophy, strength and muscle activation. PeerJ, 9, e10909. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.10909
Lacerda, L. T., Martins-Costa, H. C., Diniz, R. C., Lima, F. V., Andrade, A. G., Tourino, F. D., Bemben, M. G., & Chagas, M. H. (2016). Variations in Repetition Duration and Repetition Numbers Influence Muscular Activation and Blood Lactate Response in Protocols Equalized by Time Under Tension. J Strength Cond Res, 30(1), 251-258. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001044
Looney, D. P., Kraemer, W. J., Joseph, M. F., Comstock, B. A., Denegar, C. R., Flanagan, S. D., Newton, R. U., Szivak, T. K., DuPont, W. H., Hooper, D. R., Hakkinen, K., & Maresh, C. M. (2016). Electromyographical and Perceptual Responses to Different Resistance Intensities in a Squat Protocol: Does Performing Sets to Failure With Light Loads Produce the Same Activity? J Strength Cond Res, 30(3), 792-799. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001109
Madarsa, N. I., & Ikhwan Mohamad, N. (2025). Acute muscular hypertrophy responses to the time-efficient training method in adolescent football players. Retos, 72, 622-630. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v72.116390
Maffiuletti, N. A., Aagaard, P., Blazevich, A. J., Folland, J., Tillin, N., & Duchateau, J. (2016). Rate of force development: physiological and methodological considerations. Eur J Appl Physiol, 116(6), 1091-1116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3346-6
Marcora, S. M., Staiano, W., & Manning, V. (2009). Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans. J Appl Physiol (1985), 106(3), 857-864. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.91324.2008
Marshall, P. W., Robbins, D. A., Wrightson, A. W., & Siegler, J. C. (2012). Acute neuromuscular and fatigue responses to the rest-pause method. J Sci Med Sport, 15(2), 153-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2011.08.003
Masuda, K., Masuda, T., Sadoyama, T., Inaki, M., & Katsuta, S. (1999). Changes in surface EMG parameters during static and dynamic fatiguing contractions. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology, 9(1), 39-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1050-6411(98)00021-2
Mullany, H., O'Malley, M., St Clair Gibson, A., & Vaughan, C. (2002). Agonist-antagonist common drive during fatiguing knee extension efforts using surface electromyography. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology, 12(5), 375-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1050-6411(02)00048-2
Nishimura, A., Sugita, M., Kato, K., Fukuda, A., Sudo, A., & Uchida, A. (2010). Hypoxia increases muscle hypertrophy induced by resistance training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform, 5(4), 497-508. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.5.4.497
Ozaki, H., Abe, T., Mikesky, A. E., Sakamoto, A., Machida, S., & Naito, H. (2015). Physiological stimuli necessary for muscle hypertrophy. The Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine, 4(1), 43-51. https://doi.org/10.7600/jpfsm.4.43
Pedrosa, G. F., Laporta, L., Rigo, M. E. C., Souza, L. A. C., Nunes, T. D. L., Saccol, M. F., Castro, H. d. O., Costa, G. D. C. T., & Bischoff, A. B. G. (2024). More Training, Less Trainability: True? A muscle Swelling Analysis. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J, 14(3), 402-409. https://doi.org/10.32098/mltj.03.2024.03
Pedrosa, G. F., Machado, S. C., Diniz, R. C. R., de Lacerda, L. T., Martins-Costa, H. C., de Andrade, A. G. P., Bemben, M., Chagas, M. H., & Lima, F. V. (2020). The Effects of Altering the Concentric/Eccentric Phase Times on EMG Response, Lactate Accumulation and Work Completed When Training to Failure. J Hum Kinet, 73, 33-44. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2019-0132
Place, N., Bruton, J. D., & Westerblad, H. (2009). Mechanisms of fatigue induced by isometric contractions in exercising humans and in mouse isolated single muscle fibres. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol, 36(3), 334-339. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1681.2008.05021.x
Refalo, M. C., Helms, E. R., Robinson, Z. P., Hamilton, D. L., & Fyfe, J. J. (2024). Similar muscle hypertrophy following eight weeks of resistance training to momentary muscular failure or with repetitions-in-reserve in resistance-trained individuals. J Sports Sci, 42(1), 85-101. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2321021
Robertson, R. J., Goss, F. L., Rutkowski, J., Lenz, B., Dixon, C., Timmer, J., Frazee, K., Dube, J., & Andreacci, J. (2003). Concurrent validation of the OMNI perceived exertion scale for resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 35(2), 333-341. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000048831.15016.2A
Rooney, K. J., Herbert, R. D., & Balnave, R. J. (1994). Fatigue contributes to the strength training stimulus. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 26(9), 1160-1164. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7808251
Santanielo, N., Nobrega, S. R., Scarpelli, M. C., Alvarez, I. F., Otoboni, G. B., Pintanel, L., & Libardi, C. A. (2020). Effect of resistance training to muscle failure vs non-failure on strength, hypertrophy and muscle architecture in trained individuals. Biol Sport, 37(4), 333-341. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2020.96317
Schoenfeld, B. J. (2010). The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. J Strength Cond Res, 24(10), 2857-2872. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e840f3
Schoenfeld, B. J. (2013). Potential mechanisms for a role of metabolic stress in hypertrophic adaptations to resistance training. Sports Med, 43(3), 179-194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0017-1
Schoenfeld, B. J., & Grgic, J. (2019). Does Training to Failure Maximize Muscle Hypertrophy? Strength & Conditioning Journal, 41(5), 108-113. https://doi.org/10.1519/ssc.0000000000000473
Stock, M. S., Beck, T. W., & Defreitas, J. M. (2012). Effects of fatigue on motor unit firing rate versus recruitment threshold relationships. Muscle Nerve, 45(1), 100-109. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.22266
Sundstrup, E., Jakobsen, M. D., Andersen, C. H., Zebis, M. K., Mortensen, O. S., & Andersen, L. L. (2012). Muscle activation strategies during strength training with heavy loading vs. repetitions to failure. J Strength Cond Res, 26(7), 1897-1903. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318239c38e
Tornero-Aguilera, J. F., Jimenez-Morcillo, J., Rubio-Zarapuz, A., & Clemente-Suarez, V. J. (2022). Central and Peripheral Fatigue in Physical Exercise Explained: A Narrative Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073909
Vieira, J. G., Sardeli, A. V., Dias, M. R., Filho, J. E., Campos, Y., Sant'Ana, L., Leitao, L., Reis, V., Wilk, M., Novaes, J., & Vianna, J. (2022). Effects of Resistance Training to Muscle Failure on Acute Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med, 52(5), 1103-1125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01602-x
Vigotsky, A. D., Halperin, I., Lehman, G. J., Trajano, G. S., & Vieira, T. M. (2017). Interpreting Signal Amplitudes in Surface Electromyography Studies in Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences. Front Physiol, 8, 985. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00985
Yue, G., Alexander, A. L., Laidlaw, D. H., Gmitro, A. F., Unger, E. C., & Enoka, R. M. (1994). Sensitivity of muscle proton spin-spin relaxation time as an index of muscle activation. J Appl Physiol (1985), 77(1), 84-92. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1994.77.1.84
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Hiago L.R. Souza, João M. G. Flora, Giovanna Pernetti, Igor J. S. Rodrigues, Igor H. A. Leite, Lucas C. Silva, Adriano S. Verame, Kailany C. Pires, Ana V. Leca, Yan L. M. Vieira, Diego A. Borba, Michael J. O. Andrade, Camila F. C. M. Brandão, Lucas R. Drummond, Gustavo F. Pedrosa, Christian E. T. Cabido, Hugo C. Martins-Costa, Rodrigo C. R. Diniz, Marcel B. Lanza, Lucas Tulio de Lacerda Lucas
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
