Key result
Short set configurations reduce BP and HR responses during resistance exercise versus long sets.
Why the study?
Cardiovascular responses to different set configuration resistance-exercise protocols during knee extensions with moderate loads were undetermined.
Does a short set configuration reduce the extent of pressure and chronotropic response compared to a long set configuration during moderate-load resistance exercise in healthy students?
RCT (n=24)
Randomized
Does a short set configuration reduce the extent of pressure and chronotropic response compared to a long set configuration during moderate-load resistance exercise in healthy students?
Short set configurations during resistance exercise reduce the extent of blood pressure and chronotropic responses compared to long set configurations.
Supports short sets to limit hemodynamic strain during resistance exercise; extends evidence on set configuration to moderate loads in healthy adults.
We aimed to determine the cardiovascular responses to two different set configuration resistance-exercise protocols during a knee extension composed of 40 repetitions with a 15RM load and a total resting time of 360 seconds. Twenty-four healthy sport science students randomly performed two sessions: (a) a long set configuration (LSC: 4 sets of 10 repetitions with 2 min rest between sets), and (b) a short set configuration (SSC: 8 sets of 5 repetitions with 51 s rest between sets). Before and during exercise, peak and mean values of heart rate, blood pressure, rate pressure product, and pulse pressure were obtained. Results showed that both protocols increased the overall peak and mean blood pressure values (p<0.001). However, LSC entailed a higher peak blood pressure response at the last set (p=0.041) and an increase throughout the first 30 repetitions (p≤0.007), whereas SSC kept steady after the first 20 repetitions. Additionally, LSC caused higher overall peak and mean heart rate and rate pressure product values (p≤0.003). Summarily, although both protocols raised blood pressure, SSC reduced the extent of the pressure and chronotropic response during resistance exercise.
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Rúa-Alonso et al. (2022) conducted an RCT in Healthy (n=24). Short set configuration (SSC) vs. Long set configuration (LSC: 4 sets of 10 repetitions with 2 min rest) was evaluated on Peak and mean values of heart rate, blood pressure, rate pressure product, and pulse pressure (p=≤0.003). A short set configuration reduced the extent of blood pressure and chronotropic responses during resistance exercise compared to a long set configuration (p≤0.003 for heart rate).
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