> it does somehow suggest that they were pushing the participants to do as much as they could
I have the same impression. Possibly it could be made less subjective by literally repping to failure, but I'd guess that has potential ethical implications.
Repping to failure has potential ethical implications?
Reps to failure can be done pretty darn safely with machines and incredibly low risk of injury if done on the higher rep ranges (say 20 per set). You’re not going to get rid or risk of injury but in order to even do this study, my opinion is you have to be at a normal level of injury risk or the study is pretty much flawed by design.
I have the same impression. Possibly it could be made less subjective by literally repping to failure, but I'd guess that has potential ethical implications.