Resumo
O presente trabalho analisa a relação entre o levantamento de pesos, a falha muscular e o aumento da massa muscular por meio de uma revisão sistemática da literatura publicada entre 2020 e 2025. A falha muscular foi definida como o ponto em que não é possível completar uma repetição mantendo a técnica adequada, distinguindo-se entre falha concêntrica e excêntrica. A hipertrofia muscular, entendida como o aumento do tamanho das fibras musculares, baseia-se em mecanismos como tensão mecânica, estresse metabólico e dano muscular. Os resultados mostram que a falha muscular não é indispensável para alcançar adaptações hipertróficas, uma vez que os ganhos são semelhantes quando se treina até a falha ou antes de atingi-la, desde que seja mantido o volume adequado de treinamento. Apenas com cargas muito baixas observou-se um benefício pontual da falha, embora este não se tenha mantido com cargas altas. Por outro lado, treinar até a falha gera maior fadiga, deterioração técnica e risco de lesões, o que pode afetar a recuperação e a sustentabilidade do treinamento a longo prazo. Conclui-se que variáveis como volume total, intensidade, qualidade das repetições e progressão são mais determinantes do que a falha muscular. A falha muscular pode ser utilizada como ferramenta estratégica, mas o treinamento próximo ao limite (com repetições em reserva) é igualmente eficaz e mais seguro.
Referências
Ak?no?lu, B., Paköz, B., Yilmaz, A. E., Shehu, S. U., & Kocahan, T. (2023). Effect of contraction type at varying angular velocities on isokinetic muscle strength training. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 19(4). https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.2346236.118
Ariza, A. M. (2022). Fallo muscular en la hipertrofia con entrenamiento de contra resistencia: una revisión sistemática. Ciencias de la Actividad Física (Talca), 23(1), 0-0. http://dx.doi.org/10.29035/rcaf.23.1.11
Baz-Valle, E., Schoenfeld, B. J., & Torres-Unda, J. (2021). Similar muscle hypertrophy following eight weeks of resistance training to momentary muscular failure or with repetitions in reserve in resistance-trained men. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(9), 1044–1051.
Brooks, S. V., Guzman, S. D., & Ruiz, L. P. (2023). Skeletal muscle structure, physiology, and function. Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 195, 3-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-98818-6.00013-3
Carroll, K. M., Bazyler, C. D., & Hackett, D. A. (2019). Is performing repetitions to failure less important than tracking the proximity-to-failure? Sports, 7(7).
Castañeda, J. H. (2023). Factores determinantes para el aumento de la masa muscular en el entrenamiento de la hipertrofia: una revisión sistemática. Revista Digital ARCOFADER, 2(2), 180–187.
Davies, T., Orr, R., Halaki, M., & Hackett, D. (2016). Effect of training leading to repetition failure on muscular strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 46, 487–502.
Fernández-Lázaro, D., Díaz, J., Caballero, A., & Córdova, A. (2019). Entrenamiento de fuerza y resistencia en hipoxia: efecto en la hipertrofia muscular. Biomédica, 39(1), 212-220.
Garhammer, J. (2020). Weight lifting and training. In Biomechanics of sport (pp. 169-211). CRC Press.
Gligoroska, J. P., Manchevska, S., Petrovska, S., & Dejanova, B. (2022). Physiological mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy. Research in Physical Education, Sport & Health, 11(1).
Grgic, J., Schoenfeld, B. J., Orazem, J., & Sabol, F. (2022). Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 52, 1883–1900.
Lasevicius, T., Schoenfeld, B. J., Silva-Batista, C., Barros, T. S., Aihara, A. Y., Longo, A. R., Tricoli, V., Peres, B. A., & Teixeira, E. L. (2022). Muscle failure promotes greater muscle hypertrophy in low-load but not in high-load resistance training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(2), 346–351.
Lundberg, T. R., Feuerbacher, J. F., Sünkeler, M., & Schumann, M. (2022). The effects of concurrent aerobic and strength training on muscle fiber hypertrophy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 52(10), 2391-2403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01688-x
Maestroni, L., Read, P., Bishop, C., Papadopoulos, K., Suchomel, T. J., Comfort, P., & Turner, A. (2020). The benefits of strength training on musculoskeletal system health: practical applications for interdisciplinary care. Sports Medicine, 50(8), 1431-1450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01309-5
Martin-Cantero, A., Reijnierse, E. M., Gill, B. M., & Maier, A. B. (2021). Factors influencing the efficacy of nutritional interventions on muscle mass in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition Reviews, 79(3), 315-330. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaa064
Miras-Moreno, S., Pérez-Castilla, A., Rojas-Ruiz, F. J., & García-Ramos, A. (2023). Lifting velocity predicts the maximum number of repetitions to failure with comparable accuracy during the Smith machine and free-weight prone bench pull exercises. Heliyon, 9.
Morris, S. J., Oliver, J. L., Pedley, J. S., Haff, G. G., & Lloyd, R. S. (2022). Comparison of weightlifting, traditional resistance training and plyometrics on strength, power and speed: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 52(7), 1533-1554. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01627-2
Mukund, K., & Subramaniam, S. (2020). Skeletal muscle: A review of molecular structure and function, in health and disease. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Systems Biology and Medicine, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/wsbm.1462
Niemann, M. J., Tucker, L. A., Bailey, B. W., & Davidson, L. E. (2020). Strength training and insulin resistance: The mediating role of body composition. Journal of Diabetes Research, (1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7694825
Nóbrega, S. R., Ugrinowitsch, C., Pintanel, L., Barcelos, C., Ferreira, L., & Libardi, C. A. (2018). Effect of resistance training to muscle failure vs. volitional interruption at high- and low-intensities on muscle mass, strength and fatigue in untrained men. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(2), 1–9.
Oldfield, C. J., Duhamel, T. A., & Dhalla, N. S. (2020). Mechanisms for the transition from physiological to pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 98(2), 74-84. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjpp-2019-0566
Pina, F. L. C., Nunes, J. P., Schoenfeld, B. J., Nascimento, M. A., Gerage, A. M., Januário, R. S. B., Carneiro, N. H., & Oliveira, A. R. (2020). Effects of different weekly sets-equated resistance training frequencies on muscular strength, muscle mass, and body fat in older women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(10), 2990–2995.
Plotkin, D. L., Roberts, M. D., Haun, C. T., & Schoenfeld, B. J. (2021). Transiciones de tipo de fibra muscular con el entrenamiento físico: Perspectivas cambiantes. RED: Revista de Entrenamiento Deportivo, 35(4), 12-21.
Refalo, M. C., Helms, E. R., Trexler, E. T., Hamilton, D. L., & Fyfe, J. J. (2022). Towards an improved understanding of proximity-to-failure in resistance training and its influence on skeletal muscle hypertrophy, neuromuscular fatigue, muscle damage, and perceived discomfort: A scoping review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(12), 1369–1391.
Refalo, M. C., Helms, E. R., Trexler, E. T., Hamilton, D. L., & Fyfe, J. J. (2023). Influence of resistance training proximity-to-failure on skeletal muscle hypertrophy: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 53, 649–665.
Reggiani, C., & Schiaffino, S. (2020). Muscle hypertrophy and muscle strength: dependent or independent variables? A provocative review. European Journal of Translational Myology, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/ejtm.2020.9311
Roberts, M. D., McCarthy, J. J., Hornberger, T. A., Phillips, S. M., Mackey, A. L., Nader, G. A., & Esser, K. A. (2023). Mechanisms of mechanical overload-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy: Current understanding and future directions. Physiological Reviews, 103(4). https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physrev.00039.2022?s=09
Samson, K. M., Schoenfeld, B. J., & Grgic, J. (2022). The impact of training to failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 52, 1883–1907.
Sánchez Paredes, M. S. (2025). Métodos de entrenamiento para la hipertrofia muscular: Estrategias efectivas para el aumento de masa muscular. GADE: Revista Científica, 4(2), 335–356.
Santanielo, N., Nóbrega, S. R., Scarpelli, M. C., Alvarez, I. F., Otoboni, G. B., Pintanel, L., & Libardi, C. A. (2020). Effect of resistance training to muscle failure vs non-failure on strength, hypertrophy and muscle architecture in trained individuals. Biology of Sport, 37(4), 333–341.
Sartori, R., Romanello, V., & Sandri, M. (2021). Mechanisms of muscle atrophy and hypertrophy: Implications in health and disease. Nature Communications, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20123-1
Schiaffino, S., Reggiani, C., Akimoto, T., & Blaauw, B. (2021). Molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases, 8(2), 169-183. https://doi.org/10.3233/JND-200568
Sivokhin, I. P., Skotnikov, V. F., Fedorov, A. I., Khlystov, M. S., & Kalashnikov, A. P. (2020). Simulation of weightlifting training process. Theory and Practice of Physical Culture, (9), 13-15.
Slovak, B., Carvalho, L., Rodrigues, F., Amaral, P. C., Palma, D. D., Amadio, A. C., & Andrade, R. M. (2019). Effects of traditional strength training and olympic weightlifting in handball players. Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte, 25(3), 230-234. https://doi.org/10.1590/1517-869220192503210453
Terada, K., Kikuchi, N., Burt, D., Voisin, S., & Nakazato, K. (2022). Low-load resistance training to volitional failure induces muscle hypertrophy similar to volume-matched, velocity fatigue. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(6), 1576–1581.
Vieira, A. F., Salles, B. F., & Willardson, J. M. (2022). Resistance training to momentary muscular failure or close: A conceptual review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4.
Vieira, A. F., Umpierre, D., Teodoro, J. L., Lisboa, S. C., Baroni, B. M., Izquierdo, M., & Cadore, E. L. (2021). Effects of resistance training performed to failure or not to failure on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and power output: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(4), 1165–1175.
Warneke, K., Lohmann, L. H., Lima, C. D., Hollander, K., Konrad, A., Zech, A., & Behm, D. G. (2023). Physiology of stretch-mediated hypertrophy and strength increases: A narrative review. Sports Medicine, 53(11), 2055-2075. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01898-x
Yeom, D. C., Hwang, D. J., Lee, W. B., Cho, J. Y., & Koo, J. H. (2023). Effects of low-load, high-repetition resistance training on maximum muscle strength and muscle damage in elite weightlifters: A preliminary study. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242317079
Zanou, N. (2025). Fisiología del esfuerzo muscular. EMC-Aparato Locomotor, 58(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1286-935X(25)51111-5
Zaras, N., Stasinaki, A.-N., Spiliopoulou, P., Hadjicharalambous, M., & Terzis, G. (2020). Lean body mass, muscle architecture, and performance in well-trained female weightlifters. Sports, 8(5).

Este trabalho está licensiado sob uma licença Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Wilmer Patricio Calle Urgilez, Santiago Alejandro Jarrín Navas