NCSF Training Instruction Practice Test

The intensity associated with volitional failure when performing 10-12 repetitions of an exercise is best represented by the range of 70-75% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). This intensity level is generally sufficient to create a challenging environment that leads individuals to reach muscle fatigue at that repetition range.

When a person is lifting at 70-75% 1RM, their muscles are typically under enough load to require significant effort, but not so overwhelming that they cannot manage the execution of the repetitions. This range is optimal for promoting muscular hypertrophy, which is often the goal when performing sets of 10-12 reps.

Reaching volitional failure means that the individual will be unable to continue with additional repetitions due to muscular fatigue, and this tends to occur around this intensity level during the prescribed rep range. Lifting at this intensity encourages the adaptations necessary for strength gains while allowing an adequate number of repetitions to be completed effectively before failure occurs.