The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of resistance training to failure (TF) and non-failure (TNF) with volume-load equalization on neuromuscular performance in recreationally resistance-trained adults.

Twenty-two trained men (age 21.4 ± 2.3 years) were included in a controlled, randomized, and design cross-over investigation with two experimental conditions and one-week of washout interval between them. The participants performed parallel back-squat adopting TF or TNF with volume, intensity, and rest between sets equalized. Countermovement jump (CMJ) height and peak power (PP) were used as mechanical indicators of neuromuscular performance. The mechanical variables were assessed in five moments (pre-experiment, post 15-s, 10-min, 20-min, and 30-min).

When compared with the TNF condition, TF presented greater decrement on CMJ height (P < 0.001) and PP (P < 0.001) performance. The CMJ height and PP performance in parallel back-squat exercise following the TNF condition returned to the pre-experiment values 10-min after (P > 0.05). On the other hand, the TF condition promoted greater decrement in CMJ and PP performance compared with the pre-experiment and TNF protocol even 20–30 min later (P < 0.05).

These findings suggest that TF promotes greater acute impairment on neuromuscular performance even when volume-load is equalized.