标题:Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
摘要:Highlights
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In this meta-analysis, there was no significant difference between resistance training to failure
vs. non-failure on strength and hypertrophy.
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There was no significant difference between training conditions in subgroup analyses that stratified the studies according to body-region, exercise selection, or study design.
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When considering studies that did not equate training volume between the groups, the analysis showed significant favoring of non-failure training on strength gains. Additionally, in the subgroup analysis for resistance-trained individuals, the analysis showed a significant effect of training to failure for muscle hypertrophy.
Purpose
We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of training to muscle failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy.
Methods
Meta-analyses of effect sizes (ESs) explored the effects of training to failure
vs. non-failure on strength and hypertrophy. Subgroup meta-analyses explored potential moderating effects of variables such as training status (trained
vs. untrained), training volume (volume equated
vs. volume non-equated), body region (upper
vs. lower), exercise selection (multi-
vs. single-joint exercises (only for strength)), and study design (independent
vs. dependent groups).
Results
Fifteen studies were included in the review. All studies included young adults as participants. Meta-analysis indicated no significant difference between the training conditions for muscular strength (ES = –0.09, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): –0.22 to 0.05) and for hypertrophy (ES = 0.22, 95%CI: –0.11 to 0.55). Subgroup analyses that stratified the studies according to body region, exercise selection, or study design showed no significant differences between training conditions. In studies that did not equate training volume between the groups, the analysis showed significant favoring of non-failure training on strength gains (ES = –0.32, 95%CI: –0.57 to –0.07). In the subgroup analysis for resistance-trained individuals, the analysis showed a significant effect of training to failure for muscle hypertrophy (ES = 0.15, 95%CI: 0.03–0.26).
Conclusion
Training to muscle failure does not seem to be required for gains in strength and muscle size. However, training in this manner does not seem to have detrimental effects on these adaptations, either. More studies should be conducted among older adults and highly trained individuals to improve the generalizability of these findings.
Graphical abstract
Image, graphical abstract