Review outlines fatigue-management framework for hypertrophy training
A narrative review proposed an integrated fatigue-management framework for hypertrophy training in trained populations, including a 12-to-20-set weekly starting range per muscle group. The authors said its decision-tree algorithm still needed empirical validation in applied settings.
A narrative review published November 2 synthesized resistance-training evidence from 2020 to 2026 into a framework for managing fatigue during hypertrophy training in trained populations. It covered weekly set volume, proximity to failure, exercise selection and order, range of motion and autoregulation.1
The authors identified 12 to 20 weekly sets per muscle group as a defensible starting range and said failure was unnecessary when volume was adequate. They proposed targets of 1 to 3 repetitions in reserve or 25% to 40% velocity loss to preserve hypertrophic stimulus while limiting fatigue.1
For trainers, the review offered a starting framework, but its authors said the algorithm still needed empirical validation in applied settings.1
