Training effectiveness relies on an inverse balance between volume (quantity of work) and intensity (effort per set): if volume is high, intensity must be moderate, and vice-versa.

noli's read

This principle is based on the concept of systemic recovery and the management of accumulated fatigue. Sports science research, notably the meta-analyses by Krieger and systematic reviews on hypertrophy, effectively supports that volume is a key driver of muscle growth, but that there exists a threshold of tolerance where extreme intensity (systematic muscle failure) becomes counterproductive by impairing recovery capacity. Studies show that it is difficult to maintain maximum intensity over a very large number of sets without compromising overall session performance. The suggested approach is therefore consistent with the literature: modulating these variables allows for the optimization of the 'stimulus fatigue ratio'. This advice is scientifically sound and widely accepted as an effective periodization strategy for long-term progression. It is not an absolute truth for everyone, but a very well-documented framework for effort management.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.