Authors

Abstract

Abstract
Aim: Various studies have demonstrated that different rest intervals has a significant effect on hormonal, metabolic, and cardiovascular responses. This factor can lead to different muscle damage responses and manipulate training goals. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of 1 and 3 minute rest intervals between sets and exercises on muscle damage and sustainability of repetition in consecutive exercises.
Method: 12 untrained subjects (aged 23.17±2.06 years, height 175±3.55 cm, weight 67.33±8.26 kg, fat 16.67±1.82 percent) volunteered to participate in this study in two resistance exercise sessions with a 2-week recovery between sessions. Exercises order in each session consisted of front leg extension, biceps curl, leg curl, triceps extension, leg press and bench press with 80% of one repetition maximum (1RM) until fatigue. Subjects randomized for 1 and 3 min rest intervals in each session. The levels of CK and AST were analyzed before, 24 and 48 hours after resistance exercises. Also muscle soreness was evaluated by the Shailaja scale (PAS) at before, immediately, 24 and 48 hours after resistance exercises. Variance analysis with repeated measurment, pair sample t-test and Bonferroni post-hoc were used for statistical analysis of data.
Results: CK and AST concentration increased significantly after 24 and 48 hours and muscle soreness also elevated immediately, 24 and 48 hours after resistance exercises (P≤0.05), but no significant difference in muscle soreness and enzymes concentration was found between groups at different time points. The results demonstrated that 3 min rest intervals lead to increased repetitions (P≤0.05).
Conclusion: Differences of load volume and sustainability of repetitions at different time points of rest intervals are independent of muscle damage responses and muscle soreness. Also, 3 min rest intervals led to repetition sustainability and appropriate recovery.
Key words: Biochemical markers, Recovery time, Exercise volume

Keywords