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Effects of Resistance Training to Muscle Failure on Acute Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Vieira JG, Sardeli AV, Dias MR, Filho JE, Campos Y, Sant'Ana L, Leitão L, Reis V et al.

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Proper design of resistance training (RT) variables is a key factor to reach the maximum potential of neuromuscular adaptations. Among those variables, the use of RT performed to failure (RTF) may lead to a different magnitude of acute fatigue compared with RT not performed to failure (RTNF). The fatigue response could interfere with acute adaptive changes, in turn regulating long-term adaptations. Considering that the level of fatigue affects long-term adaptations, it is important to determine how fatigue is affected by RTF versus RTNF.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the effects of RTF versus RTNF on acute fatigue.

METHODS: The search was conducted in January 2021 in seven databases. Only studies with a crossover design that investigated the acute biomechanical properties (vertical jump height, velocity of movement, power output, or isometric strength), metabolic response (lactate or ammonia concentration), muscle damage (creatine kinase activity), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were selected. The data (mean ± standard deviation and sample size) were extracted from the included studies and were either converted into the standardized mean difference (SMD) or maintained in the raw mean difference (RMD) when the studies reported the results in the same scale. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Twenty studies were included in the systematic review and 12 were included in the meta-analysis. The…

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