The purpose of this study was to compare acute mechanical and metabolic effects of 2 sessions of resistance training equated by volume and total resting time but with different set configuration: sets to failure (FS) vs. distribution of rest between each repetition (NFS). 10 male judoists completed a session consisting of 3 sets to failure of parallel back squat with 4 repetitions at maximum load, and a rest of 3 min between the sets. At least 72 h later subjects developed the same volume, but total resting time was distributed among individual repetitions. Before and after sessions isometric force and mean propulsive velocity with load corresponding to maximum propulsive power were assessed. Results showed that in respect to FS, NFS showed an 18.94% (± 17.98) higher average mean propulsive velocity during session (0.42 ± 0.04 vs. 0.35 ± 0.08 m.s - 1; p=0.009), lower blood lactate concentration after session (maximum average value 1.52 ± 0.77 vs. 3.95 ± 1.82; session effect: p=0.001) and higher mean propulsive velocity with load corresponding to maximum propulsive power (mean propulsive velocity immediately after session 0.64 ± 0.09 vs. 0.59 ± 0.12 m.s - 1; session effect: p=0.019). These data show that distribution of rest in sessions equated for volume and total resting time determines differences in performance during sessions and mechanical or metabolic acute effects.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two different high-intensity resistance exercise (RE) set configurations on the following: systolic blood pressure (SBP), rate pressure product (RPP), heart rate (HR) variability (HRV), and HR complexity (HRC). Ten well-trained males performed three parallel squat sets until failure (traditional training; TT) with the four repetitions maximum load (4RM), and a rest of 3 min between sets. Thereafter, participants performed a cluster training session (CT) of equated load but with resting time distributed between each repetition. Dependent variables were recorded before, during, and after RE. Mean SBP (25·7 versus 10·9% percentage increase; P = 0·016) and RPP (112·5 versus 69·9%; P = 0·01) were significantly higher in TT. The decrease in HRV after exercise and the drop of HRC during exercise were similar in CT and TT. Change of standard deviation of normal RR intervals after TT correlated with change in SBP (r = 0·803; P = 0·009) while the change of Sample Entropy during exercise correlated with the increment of RPP during CT (ρ = -0·667; P = 0·05). This study suggests that set configuration influences acute cardiovascular responses during RE. When intensity, volume and work-to-rest ratio are equated, CT is less demanding in terms of SBP and RPP. A greater hemodynamic response during exercise would be associated with a faster parasympathetic recovery.

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BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) considers physical inactivity (PIA) as a critical noncommunicable factor for disease and mortality, affecting more women than men. In 2013, the WHO set a 10% reduction of the PIA prevalence, with the goal to be reached by 2025. Changes in the 2013–2017 period of physical inactivity prevalence in the 28 European Union (EU) countries were evaluated to track the progress in achieving WHO 2025 target.MethodsIn 2013 and 2017 EU Special Eurobarometers, the physical activity levels reported by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire of 53,607 adults were analyzed. Data were considered as a whole sample and country-by-country. A χ2 test was used to analyze the physical inactivity prevalence (%) between countries, analyzing women and men together and separately. Additionally, PIA prevalence was analyzed between years (2013–2017) for the overall EU sample and within-country using a Z-Score for two population proportions.ResultsThe PIA prevalence increased between 2013 and 2017 for the overall EU sample (p <  0.001), and for women (p = 0.04) and men (p < 0.001) separately. Data showed a higher PIA prevalence in women versus men during both years (p <  0.001). When separately considering changes in PIA by gender, only Belgium’s women and Luxembourg’s men showed a reduction in PIA prevalence. Increases in PIA prevalence over time were observed in women from Austria, Croatia, Germany, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia and in men from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain.ConclusionsPIA prevalence showed an overall increase across the EU and for both women and men between 2013 and 2017, with higher rates of PIA reported for women versus men during both years. PIA prevalence was reduced in only Belgium’s women and Luxembourg’s men. Our data indicate a limited gender-sensible approach while tacking PIA prevalence with no progress reaching global voluntary reductions of PIA for 2025.

Set configuration refers to the repetitions performed with regard to the maximum possible number of repetitions, a factor affecting RPE that has not been previously studied. This study analyzed the effect of set configuration and muscle mass on RPE. Eight students (M age = 23.7 yr. ± 1.7) completed four sessions corresponding to types of exercise with different amount of muscle mass (bench press and parallel squat) and two set configurations: a session with five sets of repetitions to failure and a cluster session. The cluster session involved the same intensity, volume, and rest than the failure session, guaranteeing the same work-to-rest ratio. RPE was higher in Failure vs Cluster sessions and higher in parallel squat vs bench press. This suggests that set configuration influences RPE. Similarly, RPE can be affected by the muscle mass of the exercise performed.