Does the number of sets in a resistance exercise session affect the fast and slow phases of post-exercise cardiac autonomic recovery?

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of different resistance exercise (RE) volumes on postexercise cardiac autonomic modulation in men. Methods: Ten young men (25.5 ± 4.9 years, 24.8 ± 2.1 kg/m2) performed 3 trials of RE with 1, 2 or 3 sets (48-72 h between each trial) of 10-12 repetitions (70% of the one-maximum repetition) of bench press, leg press, and barbell row. Heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed at the 1st and 5th minutes of recovery (fast phase) and 3 consecutive 5-minute intervals from the 5th to 20th minute of recovery (slow phase). Parasympathetic and global modulations were assessed using the SD1 and SD2 indices of HRV, respectively. The comparison of the interventions was performed using the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests (p<0.05). Results: Lower parasympathetic modulation was identified after 2 and 3 sets compared to 1 set in both the fast and slow recovery phases (p= 0.004-0.05). Lower global modulation was identified after 3 sets compared to 1 set in both fast and slow recovery phases (p= 0.005-0.01). No differences in post-exercise parasympathetic and global modulation were observed between 2 and 3 sets. Conclusion: We concluded that 2 and 3 sets of RE compared to 1 set promoted higher autonomic reduction on the post-exercise phase, which should be considered by coaches when prescribing an RE program for untrained participants or intend to manipulate the postexercise organic recovery.