1. Hypertrophy equivalence: High/low loads work similarly if training to near failure
Many agree muscle growth occurs regardless of load, as long as sets reach volitional fatigue, though strength differs.
"tldr appears to be that if you work to fatigue it doesn't matter if you fatigue out with high weights vs low weights" - hazard
"bodybuilders can build muscle size with high reps and lower weight or lower reps and high weight as long as they do it close to failure" - teecha
"it's not the weights that matter, but effectively taking your sets to muscular failure" - armcat
2. Injury risks of training to failure, especially heavy compounds
Consensus on higher injury risk near failure with heavy weights or compounds; prefer reps in reserve (RIR).
"I've f.up my MCL by not listening to my body... stupid stuff can really take you out" - vlod
"training to failure on compound lifts like a deadlift or benchpress... isn't. Technique generally suffers" - NoLinkToMe
"Failed reps get much more risky... as the weight you’re lifting approaches your 1RM" - wswope
3. Study limitations: Short-term, untrained subjects limit generalizability
Critics note newbie gains mask differences; need longer trials on trained lifters.
"I would like to see an equivalent study go out longer than 10 weeks... 6 months is the actual period" - Analemma_
"when you're new, virtually any type of lifting... is going to create sufficient stimulus... from 0 to 1" - foldingmoney
"10 week study with untrained college students tells you very little about... a lifetime of lifting" - padjo