Mechanical, Metabolic, and Perceptual Effect of a Bench Press Leading to Failure With Relatively Light Workloads

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the mechanical (number of repetitions per set, movement velocity, countermovement jump height, and handgrip strength), metabolic (lactate, uric acid, and ammonia concentrations), and perceptual (Omni-Res perceived exertion) effects of a bench press exercise performed to failure with a relatively light workload (≈50% 1RM) during a single session and over subsequent days. Twenty-five participants took part in this study. Muscular failure was reached during three sets of the bench press exercise. The workload corresponded to a mean propulsive velocity of 1 m·s#¹. The results showed that mean propulsive velocity decreased as the number of repetitions and sets increased (p < 0.001). The number of repetitions also decreased across sets (p < 0.001). Lactate concentration and OMNI-RES values increased progressively with each set (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the observed reductions in mechanical performance and the high metabolic stress suggest that training to failure should not be frequently implemented in resistance training programs.