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Time course of recovery following resistance training leading or not to failure

European Journal of Applied Physiology volume 117, pages 2387–2399 (2017)Cite this article

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Performance and Sports Science Laboratory, University of Murcia, C/Argentina, s/n, Santiago de la Ribera, Murcia, Spain

    Ricardo Morán-Navarro, Ernesto de la Cruz-Sánchez & Jesús G. Pallarés

  2. Exercise Physiology Laboratory, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain

    Ricardo Morán-Navarro, Ricardo Mora-Rodríguez & Jesús G. Pallarés

  3. Sports Medicine Centre, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain

    Carlos E. Pérez

  4. Faculty of Sport, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain

    Juan José González-Badillo

  5. Centre for Studies, Research & Sports Medicine, Government of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain

    Luis Sánchez-Medina

Authors
  1. Ricardo Morán-Navarro
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  2. Carlos E. Pérez
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  3. Ricardo Mora-Rodríguez
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  4. Ernesto de la Cruz-Sánchez
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  5. Juan José González-Badillo
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  6. Luis Sánchez-Medina
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  7. Jesús G. Pallarés
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jesús G. Pallarés.

Additional information

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

Keywords

  • Muscle strength
  • Weight training
  • Hormonal response
  • Bench press
  • Back squat