Changes in Perceived Recovery Status Scale Following High-Volume Muscle Damaging Resistance Exercise

Abstract

Currently no research has investigated the relationship between muscle damage, hormonal status, and perceived recovery scale (PRS). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a high-volume training session on PRS and to determine the relationship between levels of testosterone, cortisol, and creatine kinase (CK) and PRS. Thirty-five trained subjects (21.3 ± 1.9 years) were recruited. All subjects participated in a high-volume resistance training session consisting of 3 sets of full squats, bench press, deadlifts, pullups, dips, bent over rows, shoulder press, and barbell curls and extensions. Pre-PRS and post-PRS measurements (0-10), soreness, CK, cortisol, and testosterone were measured before and 48 hours after training. Perceived recovery scale declined from 8.6 ± 2.3 to 4.2 ± 1.85 (p < 0.05). Leg, chest, and arm soreness increased from pre- to postexercise. Creatine kinase significantly increased from pre- to postworkout (189.4 ± 100.2 to 512 ± 222.7 U/L). Cortisol, testosterone, and free testosterone did not change. There was an inverse relationship between CK and PRS (r = 0.58, p < 0.05). When muscle damage was low before training, cortisol and free and total testosterone were not correlated to PRS. However, when damage peaked at 48 hours postexercise, free, but not total, testosterone showed a low direct relationship with PRS (r = 0.2, p < 0.05). High-volume resistance exercise lowers PRS scores. These changes are partly explained by a rise in serum indices of muscle damage. Moreover, free testosterone seems to have a positive relationship with PRS.

Beneficial Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning in Resistance Exercise Fade Over Time

“…Before each trial (day) subjects indicated a score on the PRS scale [24,35] (ranging from 0 to 10) indicating their subjective status of physical recovery. The PRS scale is a 0-10 scalar representation of varying levels of an individual's level of PRS, similar to an RPE scale.…”

Effects of Hypohydration on Repeated 40-yd Sprint Performance

“…It is worth noting however, that a myriad of factors tend to mediate perceptual measures with mediating factors themselves often not being mutually exclusive. Previous research suggests the PRS scale is a valid means of assessing perceptual feelings of recovery following repeated sprint bouts (25) and resistance exercise (33). However, to the author's knowledge, the current study is the first to investigate the effectiveness of the PRS scale in predicting performance following hypohydration, and while not definitive, current results offer introductory support to the idea that the PRS scale is sensitive to hypohydration.…”

Monitoring and Managing Fatigue in Baseball Players

“…Laurent et al (32) also indicated that if athletes provide scores from 0 to 2, 4 to 6, or 8 to 10, sport scientists should expect a declined performance, similar performance, or improved performance, respectively. Although not as widely accepted as session RPE, a recent study by Sikorski et al (46) indicated that the Perceived Recovery Status Scale is an effective tool to monitor recovery after heavy resistance training. By collecting information about the perceived recovery status of the athlete, sport scientists will be able to determine the level of fatigue that the previous games, practices, or workouts have caused the players.…”

“…By collecting information about the perceived recovery status of the athlete, sport scientists will be able to determine the level of fatigue that the previous games, practices, or workouts have caused the players. Furthermore, this information may not only allow sport scientists to determine the readiness of players for particular workouts (32) but also allow for adjustments to be made based on the perceived recovery level of each player (46), potentially preventing an accumulation of fatigue that may lead to poor performance.…”