Heavier and lighter load resistance training to momentary failure produce similar increases in strength with differing degrees of discomfort
Abstract
Introduction: It has been suggested that disparities in effort and discomfort between high‐ and low‐load resistance training might exist, which in turn have produced unequivocal adaptations between studies. Methods: Strength responses to heavier load (HL; 80% maximum voluntary isometric torque; MVIT) and lighter load (LL; 50% MVIT) resistance training were examined in addition to acute perceptions of effort and discomfort. Seven men (20.6 ± 0.5 years, 178.9 ± 3.2 cm, 77.1 ± 2.7 kg) performed unilateral resistance training of the knee extensors to momentary failure using HL and LL. Results: Analyses revealed significant pre‐ to post‐intervention increases in strength for both HL and LL, with no significant between‐group differences (P > 0.05). Mean repetitions per set, total training time, and discomfort were all significantly higher for LL compared with HL (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that resistance training with HL and LL produces similar strength adaptations, but discomfort should be considered before selecting a training load.Muscle Nerve56: 797–803, 2017
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Training with low-loads tends to produce more discomfort, displeasure, and a higher rating of perceived exertion than training with moderate-to-high loads.
“Additionally, while it generally seems that the theory proposed in the repetition continuum is not necessarily valid for hypertrophy, training with low-loads tends to produce more discomfort, displeasure, and a higher rating of perceived exertion than training with moderate-to-high loads [80,81].”
From Loading recommendations for muscle strength, hypertrophy, and local endurance: a re-examination of the repetition continuum. (2021) · cites this paper as [80]
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“There is a general consensus that there exists a need to maximally recruit motor units to optimize strength and hypertrophy adaptations to resistance training (RT).(1) Studies have suggested that, although there may be a submaximal threshold for effort,(2) training to momentary failure could optimize such recruitment,…”
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- Authors
- Fisher, J. P., & Steele, J.
- Affiliations
- Southampton Solent University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Fisher, James Peter
- Venue
- Muscle & Nerve
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017-04-17
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 797-803
- ISSN
- 0148-639X (ISSN-L)
- 1097-4598
- OpenAlex
- W2567498439
- Cited by
- 122
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 14
- FWCI
- 18.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Muscle & Nerve (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Solent University Research Portal (Solent University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Keywords
- resistance training, training load, muscle strength, knee extensors, perceived effort, perceived discomfort, training effects, training duration
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Physiological, Physical Exertion, Female, Humans, Knee Joint, Male, Weight-Bearing, Muscle, Skeletal, Muscle Strength, Resistance Training, Young Adult
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