title: Heavier and lighter load resistance training to momentary failure produce similar increases in strength with differing degrees of discomfort.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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 Nerve 56: 797-803, 2017.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Health and Social Sciences, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton, SO14 0YN, UK.
authors.forename: James Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Health and Social Sciences, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton, SO14 0YN, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steele
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: exertion; heavy; isometric strength; light; pain; recreational exercise