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Abstract
This study analyzes the relationship between weightlifting, muscular failure, and muscle mass gain through a systematic review of literature published between 2020 and 2025. Muscular failure was defined as the point at which a repetition cannot be completed while maintaining proper technique, distinguishing between concentric and eccentric failure. Muscle hypertrophy, understood as the increase in muscle fiber size, is based on mechanisms such as mechanical tension, metabolic stress, and muscle damage. The results show that muscular failure is not essential to achieve hypertrophic adaptations, as improvements are similar when training to failure or before reaching it, provided that adequate training volume is maintained. A specific benefit of failure was only observed with very low loads, although this was not maintained with high loads. On the other hand, training to failure generates greater fatigue, technical deterioration, and injury risk, which can affect recovery and long-term training sustainability.It is concluded that variables such as total volume, intensity, repetition quality, and progression are more determining than muscular failure. This can be used as a strategic tool, but training near the limit (with repetitions in reserve) is equally effective and safer.
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