The Effect of rest interval between sets on the number of repetitions performed in the bench press exercise

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of different rest intervals on the number of repetitions performed in the bench press exercise. Methods: 6 resistance-trained men (age 24.27±1.61 years, body fat 14.72±5.32 %, body mass 76.60±11.00 kg, 1-RM bench press 98.42±19.78kg) volunteered for the study. Subjects performed a bench press 1-RM test and in two subsequent sessions they performed five maximal sets of the bench press exercise with 70%, 75%, 75%, 80% and 85% of 1-RM and a 1- or 2-minute rest interval between sets. Sessions occurred at least 48h apart, with the last two in a random fashion. Statistical analyzes was made by the student t-test to compare the differences between rest intervals. The number of repetitions performed with the 2-minute rest interval (33.16 ± 6.14) was significantly higher than with 1-minute rest interval (26.67 ± 3.44), (p=0.009) and in sets 2 (p=0.016), 3 (p=0.004) and 4 (p=0.018). The 2-minute rest interval yielded a larger number of repetitions performed throughout the five sets of bench press. Furthermore, the subjects were unable to maintain a large number of repetitions even when a 2-minute rest interval was taken. This indicates that larger rest intervals may be necessary when training with this intensity, especially if the maintenance of exercise volume is desired