The Effect of Different Rest Intervals Between Agonist-Antagonist Paired Sets on Training Performance and Efficiency

Behenck, C, Sant'Ana, H, Pinto de Castro, JB, Willardson, JM, and Miranda, H. The effect of different rest intervals between agonist-antagonist paired sets on training performance and efficiency. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 781-786, 2022-The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of different rest intervals (RIs) between agonist-antagonist paired sets (APS) on training performance and efficiency. Eighteen recreationally trained men (age: 21.5 ± 2.1 years, body mass: 74.5 ± 10.4 kg, height: 1.75 ± 0.04 m, body mass index: 24.4 ± 3.7 kg·m-2) completed 4 sessions. During each session, a 10-repetition maximum load was used for 3 APS of Bench Row + Bench Press and Lat Pull-down + Overhead Press with RI between APS sequences of 1, 2, 3 minutes (min) or self-selected RI (SRI). Total training volume (TTV), session time and efficiency were measured in all sessions. The 1-minute RI resulted in significantly less TTV vs. the other conditions (p = 0.000). The 2-minute RI resulted in significantly less TTV vs. the 3-minute RI (p = 0.002), but the SRI was not significantly different vs. the 3-minute RI. For session time, the 1-minute RI was significantly less (p = 0.000) and the 3-minute RI was significantly greater (1-minute and 2-minute RI, p = 0.000; SRI, p = 0.010) than the other conditions. Therefore, the efficiency of the 1-minute RI was significantly greater vs. the other conditions (3-minute RI and SRI, p = 0.000; 2-minute RI, p = 0.001) and the 2-minute RI was significantly greater vs. the 3-minute RI (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in TTV, session time, and efficiency between the 2-minute RI and SRI conditions. In conclusion, the 2-minute RI and SRI conditions may present a better cost-effectiveness. It is suggested that self-selected RI can provide better performance, whereas 2-minute RI may enable greater efficiency.