Refalo, Martin CHelms, Eric RHamilton, D LeeFyfe, Jackson J2025-03-042025-03-042025-02-17Eur J Sport Sci, ISSN: 1746-1391 (Print); 1536-7290 (Online), Wiley, 25(3), e12266-. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.122661746-13911536-7290http://hdl.handle.net/10292/18808Perceptual responses may influence how much pleasure or displeasure an individual experiences during or following resistance training (RT). Resistance-trained males (n = 12) and females (n = 6) completed an 8-week intervention involving two RT sessions per week. The lower limbs of each participant were randomised to perform the leg press and leg extension exercises either to (i) momentary muscular failure (FAIL) or (ii) a perceived 2-RIR and 1-RIR, respectively, for the entire intervention. In weeks one, four, and eight, post-set ratings of perceived discomfort (RPD), and post-session ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and general feelings via feeling scale (FS) were measured. Data were analysed with Bayesian mixed-effect models. When averaged over all time points measured, results showed slightly greater RPD for FAIL [5.1 (HDI: 4.2-6.0); pd = 100%] versus RIR [4.1 (HDI: 3.2-5.1); pd = 100%], greater RPE for FAIL [5.4 (HDI: 4.6-6.3); pd = 100%] versus RIR [4.3 (HDI: 3.5-5.1); pd = 100%], and more positive general feelings for RIR [1.2 (HDI: 0.7-1.8); pd = 100%] versus FAIL [0.3 (HDI: -0.3 to 0.8); pd = 86%]. Overall, assessing perceptual responses may help inform RIR prescription to promote desired outcomes whilst limiting negative feelings that may compromise long-term adherence.© 2025 The Author(s). European Journal of Sport Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH on behalf of European College of Sport Science. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/discomfortexertionfeelingsproximity‐to‐failurerepetitions‐in‐reserveresistance training42 Health Sciences4207 Sports Science and ExerciseAgingClinical ResearchBehavioral and Social ScienceBrain Disorders2.1 Biological and endogenous factors0913 Mechanical Engineering1106 Human Movement and Sports SciencesSport Sciences4207 Sports science and exercise5201 Applied and developmental psychologyHumansMaleResistance TrainingFemaleYoung AdultPhysical ExertionAdultPerceptionBayes TheoremPleasureHumansBayes TheoremPerceptionAdultFemaleMalePhysical ExertionResistance TrainingYoung AdultPleasureHumansMaleResistance TrainingFemaleYoung AdultPhysical ExertionAdultPerceptionBayes TheoremPleasureJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.1002/ejsc.12266