Abstract
Purpose
To describe the acute and delayed time course of recovery following resistance training (RT) protocols differing in the number of repetitions (R) performed in each set (S) out of the maximum possible number (P).
Methods
Ten resistance-trained men undertook three RT protocols [S × R(P)]: (1) 3 × 5(10), (2) 6 × 5(10), and (3) 3 × 10(10) in the bench press (BP) and full squat (SQ) exercises. Selected mechanical and biochemical variables were assessed at seven time points (from − 12 h to + 72 h post-exercise). Countermovement jump height (CMJ) and movement velocity against the load that elicited a 1 m s−1 mean propulsive velocity (V1) and 75% 1RM in the BP and SQ were used as mechanical indicators of neuromuscular performance.
Results
Training to muscle failure in each set [3 × 10(10)], even when compared to completing the same total exercise volume [6 × 5(10)], resulted in a significantly higher acute decline of CMJ and velocity against the V1 and 75% 1RM loads in both BP and SQ. In contrast, recovery from the 3 × 5(10) and 6 × 5(10) protocols was significantly faster between 24 and 48 h post-exercise compared to 3 × 10(10). Markers of acute (ammonia, growth hormone) and delayed (creatine kinase) fatigue showed a markedly different course of recovery between protocols, suggesting that training to failure slows down recovery up to 24–48 h post-exercise.
Conclusions
RT leading to failure considerably increases the time needed for the recovery of neuromuscular function and metabolic and hormonal homeostasis. Avoiding failure would allow athletes to be in a better neuromuscular condition to undertake a new training session or competition in a shorter period of time.
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Abbreviations
- ANOVA:
-
Analysis of variance
- Basal AM:
-
The same morning of the resistance training protocol at 8:00 h
- Basal PM:
-
The day before the resistance training protocol at 18:00 h
- BP:
-
Bench press
- CK:
-
Creatine kinase
- CMJ:
-
Countermovement jump
- ES:
-
Effect size
- GH:
-
Growth hormone
- MPV:
-
Mean propulsive velocity
- Post 0 h:
-
Immediately following each resistance training protocol (11:00 h)
- Post 6 h:
-
Same evening of resistance training, at 18:00 h
- Post 24 h:
-
24 h after the resistance training protocol
- Post 48 h:
-
48 h after the resistance training protocol
- Post 72 h:
-
72 h after the resistance training protocol
- RT:
-
Resistance training
- SQ:
-
Full back squat
- SD:
-
Standard deviation
- T/C:
-
Testosterone/cortisol ratio
- V1 load:
-
The load that elicited a ~ 1.00 m s−1 mean propulsive velocity
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Communicated by William J. Kraemer.
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Morán-Navarro, R., Pérez, C.E., Mora-Rodríguez, R. et al. Time course of recovery following resistance training leading or not to failure. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 2387–2399 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3725-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3725-7