Research
Mixed
Resistance training performed to 'set failure' (defined as anything other than momentary muscular failure) provides a trivial advantage over non-failure training for muscle hypertrophy.
Training to 'set failure' (broadly defined) offers a trivial advantage over non-failure training. The practical benefit is minimal, so you can choose your failure definition based on comfort and recovery rather than expecting significant hypertrophy gains.
GoodQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
There was a trivial advantage for resistance training performed to set failure versus non-failure for muscle hypertrophy in studies applying any definition of set failure [effect size=0.19 (95% confidence interval 0.00, 0.37), p=0.045]
Why this rating
Meta-analysis of 9 studies, but heterogeneity in 'set failure' definitions.
Source
Influence of Resistance Training Proximity-to-Failure on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
Martin C. Refalo et al. · Sports Medicine · 2022
DOI 10.1007/s40279-022-01784-y
Meta-analysis · 15 studiesCited 55×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
Related findings · Mixed
- Bariatric surgery (VSG and RYGB) is the most effective and sustainable treatment for obesity, producing marked and sustained weight loss that non-surgical interventions cannot match.Strong
- Severely protein-deficient diets (2–3% energy) induce lean body mass loss and metabolic imbalance, whereas adequate protein intake (0.66 g/kg/d minimum) is a prerequisite for maintaining muscle, bone, and physiological function.Strong
- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →